The country’s largest solar-powered boat competition got underway last Friday in California. 700 Southern California students from 42 schools began the seven-month long process to see who will be crowned winner of the Solar Cup Competition in May of 2011.

“We started Solar Cup nine years ago to promote clean recreation on our drinking-water reservoirs and to increase educational outreach to high-school students,” said Solar Cup Coordinator Julie Miller. “The competition has now evolved into a great opportunity for kids to learn about green technology and alternative energy sources. Solar Cup also promotes career development in clean energy, by encouraging kids to consider careers in engineering, construction, or as solar techs.”

All 42 student teams begin by assembling the same boat—identical canoe hulls made of marine-grade plywood. Roughly half of participating students gathered to build their boats Friday with the remaining teams scheduled to meet and assemble on Nov. 13.

Once the boats are assembled, students return to school and work for the next seven months outfitting the boats with solar panels, batteries, lights, rudders and steering systems—and, in some cases, snazzy paint jobs.

Student teams will reconvene at Lake Skinner in Temecula Valley on May 13 – 15, 2011, for the Solar Cup Competition.

Endurance races and sprints are held during the public event to judge which teams were able to best outfit their boats with sufficient solar power.

Organizer of the Solar Cup, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, provides student teams with the canoe kits, toolboxes, and access to solar teaching workshops.

Teams are then sponsored by local water agencies and retailers who give $4,000 for new teams and $2,500 for veteran teams—veteran teams are allowed to use parts from previous years—to outfit their solar boats. Teams are allowed to receive additional donations but must purchase the solar panels and boat motor with the sponsored funds.

“Teacher time is the only cost to the schools,” said Miller. “At a time when California school districts are cutting programs and a gap in energy jobs is on the horizon, Solar Cup plays a vital role in getting kids engaged in green-energy issues and science.”

Pictured: Breena Vilencia, Lakeside High school junior, in Lake Elsinore, during the Solar Cup. Image: Steve Thornton / NC Times.