University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project
The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project is a 501c3 nonprofit student-run organization that designs, builds, and races solar-powered electric vehicles in international competitions, providing hands-on engineering education to University of Minnesota undergraduates while securing tiered corporate sponsorships and tax-deductible donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project does
The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project (UMNSVP) is a 501c3 nonprofit, student-run organization founded in 1990 at the University of Minnesota that designs, builds, and races solar-powered electric vehicles in international competitions. The project operates under the University's College of Science and Engineering and has produced 15 solar vehicles — from the original Aurora I (1993) through Gaia (2023–2025) — with a 16th, Hyperion, currently in development for the 2025 World Solar Challenge and American Solar Challenge 2026. Core technology includes in-house designed and manufactured electric motors (placing the team among a small number of solar car programs globally with proprietary motor capabilities), custom battery management systems using Panasonic 18650B lithium-ion cells, composite monocoque shells with integrated roll cages, 3M anti-reflective solar array encapsulation, and proprietary telemetry and center console electronics.
UMNSVP competes primarily in the American Solar Challenge and the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, transitioning from speed-focused single-occupant vehicles to practical multi-occupant Cruiser Class vehicles beginning with Daedalus in 2013. The team's competitive record includes five Formula Sun Grand Prix wins, a first-ever 1st place in the ASC Multi-Occupant Vehicle Class (2022 with Freya), and a 2nd place in the BWSC CSIRO Cruiser Class (2023 with Gaia), matching the best-ever finish by an American team in that competition. The organization generates no commercial revenue and is funded through tax-deductible donations ranging from $5 to $50,000 and a tiered corporate sponsorship program (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) with Platinum partners including Siemens, Xcel Energy, Altair, Altium, ANSYS, Thermo King, and the UMN College of Science and Engineering. Its primary beneficiaries are University of Minnesota undergraduate students seeking hands-on engineering, design, and project management experience.
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project
- Legal name
- University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project
- Website
- https://umnsvp.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project is a 501c3 nonprofit student-run organization that designs, builds, and races solar-powered electric vehicles in international competitions, providing hands-on engineering education to University of Minnesota undergraduates while securing tiered corporate sponsorships and tax-deductible donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar Vehicle Engineering
- NAICS
- Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313)
- SIC
- Engines & Turbines (3510), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Power Electronics & Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) (EDAOABAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Hybrid Powertrain Integration Manufacturing (ICE-HEV/PHEV modules) (IMACAHAJ)
Keywords
Where University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Sponsorships and Donations: The organization is a 501c3 tax-deductible nonprofit that relies on donations ranging from $5 to $50,000. Sponsors provide financial support, materials, expertise, and guidance. Sponsorships are organized in tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, plus individual donors and Friends of the Team.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Tax-deductible donations for educational solar vehicle project |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UMNSVP is a student-run project at the University of Minnesota that designs, engineers, and manufactures solar-powered electric vehicles for competition in international solar car races. The team has produced 15 distinct solar vehicles over more than 30 years, building custom electric motors, battery systems, solar arrays, and composite monocoque shells in-house. The current focus is on Cruiser Class multi-occupant vehicles that compete in events such as the American Solar Challenge and Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
Product overview
UMNSVP is a student-led organization at the University of Minnesota that designs, builds, and races solar-powered vehicles. The project has produced 15 solar cars over 30+ years (Aurora I-IV, Borealis I-III, Centaurus I-III, Daedalus, Eos I-II, Freya, and Gaia), with Hyperion as the 16th car currently in development. The vehicles range from single-occupant racing-focused designs to multi-occupant cruiser class vehicles that prioritize practicality. The team competes internationally in events like the American Solar Challenge and Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, and manufactures custom electrical components including motors, batteries, dashboards, and telemetry systems in-house.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aurora I First solar vehicle built by UMNSVP in 1993; placed 21st in Sunrayce '93 and won the SAE Design Excellence in Engineering Safety Award.
- Aurora II Built in 1995, achieved 2nd place at Sunrayce '95 and set a daily average speed record of 50.4 mph; received EDS Best Use of Aerodynamics in Design award.
- Aurora III Active 1997-2000, top speed of 78 mph, runs 55 mph on hairdryer power, and can travel over 120 miles without sun. Won Junior Class Championship at the 1998 World Solar Rally in Japan.
- Aurora IV Active 1999, built on successful innovations of Aurora III; captured 4th place in World Solar Challenge Cutout Class.
- Borealis I Fifth-generation solar car raced in the 2001 inaugural American Solar Challenge along Route 66, finishing 6th overall.
- Borealis II Sixth-generation car focused on reliability; won First Place Overall at Formula Sun Grand Prix 2003.
- Borealis III Seventh car focused on weight savings at 400 pounds; won FSGP 2005 and placed 2nd at NASC 2005.
- Centaurus I Eighth car built for the 2008 North American Solar Challenge; finished 5th overall and 2nd in silicon class.
- Centaurus II Ninth solar vehicle, took 2nd place at 2010 ASC, weighing 390 lbs, featured 3M anti-reflective solar array encapsulation.
- Centaurus III Tenth vehicle and most aerodynamic of the first 11 cars; used Panasonic 18650B lithium ion battery cells and 3M anti-reflective encapsulation.
- Daedalus First two-passenger vehicle and first Cruiser Class vehicle built by UMNSVP; placed 4th in the World Solar Challenge Cruiser Class out of 11 teams.
- Eos I Second Cruiser Class vehicle designed for WSC 2015; only North American competitor in the WSC Cruiser Class, finished 5th.
- Eos II Third Cruiser Class solar car, branded as 'the commuter car of the future'; won 1st at FSGP and 2nd at ASC.
- Freya First four-seater solar car; winner of 2022 ASC Multi-Occupant Vehicle Class and 2021 Formula Sun Grand Prix.
- Gaia Fifteenth car; placed 2nd in 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge CSIRO Cruiser Class, matching best performance by any American team in competition history.
- Hyperion Sixteenth solar car currently being built for the 2025 World Solar Challenge and ASC 2026.
Companies that use University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered platinum and gold.
- Altair EngineeringplatinumGlobal leader in computational intelligence providing software and cloud solutions for simulation, HPC, data analytics, and AI used to optimize product designs.
- AltiumplatinumLeading provider of electronic design automation software, specifically Altium Designer offering unified environment for PCB design, schematic capture, and manufacturing preparation.
- ANSYSplatinumAmerican multinational company developing CAE and multiphysics simulation software used for virtually testing and optimizing product designs across structural mechanics, fluid dynamics, and electromagnetics.
- SiemensplatinumLeading German multinational technology company integrating physical and digital worlds to provide specialized solutions for industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare.
- Keysight TechnologiesgoldGlobal leader in electronic design and test solutions providing hardware, software, and services for electronic systems development in telecommunications, aerospace, and automotive.
- Quantronic CorporationgoldFounded in 1995 in Minneapolis, MN, provides manufacturing of Printed Circuit Boards and Final OEM Product Box Builds. Has helped develop and manufacture many circuit boards.
- University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering (CSE)platinumProvides administrative leadership, strategic direction, and support for research and academic programs. Houses the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, and Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science.
- WindingsgoldEmployee-owned full-service contract manufacturer specializing in engineering, prototyping, and production of custom electric motors, generators, and electromagnetic components.
- Proto Lam LLCgoldFocuses solely on laminations, producing high quality motor laminations in an efficient manner.
- Panther Precision MachinegoldMinnesota-based CNC machining and manufacturing company specializing in close-tolerance machining, custom fabrication, and certified welding.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) Solar Team: Top international solar car team from the Netherlands, multiple BWSC champion. Comparable solar vehicle design activity but with substantially greater industrial sponsorship and budget scale.
- Sonnenwagen Aachen: German university solar car team from RWTH Aachen with strong BWSC results. Comparable in mission and category, but operates with a different funding model involving significant industry partners.
Direct peers
- Stanford Solar Car Project: Stanford University's student-run solar car team that designs, builds, and races solar vehicles in events including the ASC and World Solar Challenge. Direct peer along mission, competition circuit, and educational model.
- University of Michigan Solar Car Team: One of the most successful American university solar car teams with multiple BWSC top finishes. Closest domestic competitor and direct peer in the same competition classes.
- UC Berkeley CalSol: UC Berkeley's student-run solar vehicle project competing in the ASC and BWSC. Direct peer in the American university solar racing ecosystem with similar engineering-education mission.
- University of Waterloo Midnight Sun: University of Waterloo's solar car team, a regular ASC and BWSC competitor. Direct peer from another major research university with comparable engineering project structure.
- MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team: MIT's undergraduate solar vehicle team competing in the American Solar Challenge and BWSC. Direct peer with similar university-based, student-designed-and-built solar vehicle program.
- Western Michigan University Sunseeker: WMU's long-running solar car project with decades of competition history. Direct peer in the ASC racing community with a similar student-built model.
- Georgia Tech Solar Racing: Georgia Institute of Technology's solar racing team competing in the Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge. Direct peer with similar undergraduate engineering focus.
- Purdue Solar Racing: Purdue University's student solar racing team. Direct peer competing in the same university-based solar car racing circuit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project
What does University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project do?
UMNSVP is a student-run project at the University of Minnesota that designs, engineers, and manufactures solar-powered electric vehicles for competition in international solar car races. The team has produced 15 distinct solar vehicles over more than 30 years, building custom electric motors, battery systems, solar arrays, and composite monocoque shells in-house. The current focus is on Cruiser Class multi-occupant vehicles that compete in events such as the American Solar Challenge and Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
Is University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project a public or private company?
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project founded?
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project was founded in 1990.
Where is University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project based?
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project make money?
One revenue line is on record: sponsorships and Donations.
Who are University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) Solar Team and Sonnenwagen Aachen. Direct peers are Stanford Solar Car Project, University of Michigan Solar Car Team, UC Berkeley CalSol, University of Waterloo Midnight Sun, MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team, Western Michigan University Sunseeker, Georgia Tech Solar Racing and Purdue Solar Racing.
Does University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project.
What industry is University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project in?
University Of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project's product category is Solar Vehicle Engineering. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOABAH, Power Electronics & Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), with a secondary code of IMACAHAJ, Hybrid Powertrain Integration Manufacturing (ICE-HEV/PHEV modules). Its NAICS code is 335313 and its SIC code is 3510.