Accelerating Innovation: The SolarCar at Virginia Tech Team

At a time when sustainability and innovation are beautifully coming together, the SolarCar at Virginia Tech team shines brightly as a testament to the power of collaboration, engineering talent, and a deep commitment to renewable energy. This enthusiastic group of students is on an exciting journey to design, build, and race a solar-powered vehicle, highlighting their technical skills while paving the way for a cleaner, brighter future.

The SolarCar at Virginia Tech team is focused on pushing the boundaries of renewable energy technology while providing students with hands-on experience in engineering, project management, and teamwork. They aim to educate themselves and others about the potential of solar energy and inspire their community to pursue sustainable practices, with a team of students from various disciplines, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, environmental science, and more. This multidisciplinary approach fosters a rich environment for creativity and problem-solving. From designing the aerodynamics of the car to developing the solar power systems and optimizing energy efficiency, every member plays a crucial role in the project.

Cadence is excited to support the team by providing easy access to the industry tools they need to optimize their design. Teams typically work on a two-year design cycle, overlapping the conclusion of one vehicle with the start of the next vehicle, giving them the unique opportunity to closely compare the improvements of one design to the next. For this team, their current vehicle, the Sun Gobbler, has a simulated drag coefficient of 0.21. With the help of Cadence Fidelity CFD software, their next-generation vehicle, the Sun Voyager, has seen a more than 20% improvement in its drag coefficient, with room for further optimization. This will yield a significant improvement in the vehicle's overall performance in competition since aerodynamics are one of the most important factors for solar cars.

The culmination of their hard work comes during various racing events, where teams from around the globe compete to demonstrate their solar cars' capabilities. The SolarCar at Virginia Tech team has participated in the prestigious Formula Sun Grand Prix competition and plans to participate in the American Solar Challenge in the summer of 2026. These events not only serve as a platform to test their innovations but also as an opportunity to connect with other like-minded individuals and organizations passionate about solar technology.

As the SolarCar at Virginia Tech team looks to the future, they are committed to continuous improvement and innovation. With each race, they learn valuable lessons that inform their next project, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of solar vehicle technology. Their work not only contributes to the field of renewable energy but also demonstrates the incredible potential of student-led initiatives.

We hope to continue to support this team and these students in creating innovative solutions and gaining the practical experience they need to thrive in their future careers. For student design teams interested in partnering with Cadence, reach out to academicinnovation@cadence.com!