Students to race solar-powered cars

Students to race solar-powered cars

SMUD hosts 19^th annual Solar Car Race at Sacramento State University

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Nearly 200 students will race solar-powered cars they've designed and built themselves for SMUD's annual Solar Car Race at Sacramento State. Teams will use solar panels, motors and gear sets, to build a unique car - but it's up to the teams to be creative, innovative and build the fastest car possible.

Teams will compete for awards in several categories including race time, sustainability, innovation, creativity and more. More information about the event is available at smud.org/solar-car-race.

SMUD is committed to helping local educators bring STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering and math) to the classroom, especially as SMUD aims to decarbonize the region's power supply by 2030. The Solar Car Race gives teachers an opportunity to demonstrate a real-world technology design process and brings students together in a fun, entertaining way. The Solar Car Race has become increasingly popular as STEM education has gained momentum locally and become a larger part of many schools' curriculums.

The Solar Car Race is just one of several community events and programs that SMUD sponsors or organizes to support STEM education. A regional favorite, the California Solar Regatta at Rancho Seco Recreational Area, will be held on May 1 and 2. For more information about the Solar Regatta, visit smud.org/solar-regatta.

In 2025, local student teams demonstrated their STEM skills in cars they designed and built for SMUD's Solar Car Race. Photo: SM

About SMUD

As the nation's sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for more than 75 years. SMUD is a recognized industry leader for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. In 2024, SMUD's power supply was about 62% carbon free, which is largely influenced by the weather and amount of hydroelectricity produced. SMUD's goal is to completely eliminate carbon in its electricity production by 2030 while maintaining reliability and keeping rates among the lowest in California - on average, 50% lower than its neighboring, investor-owned utility. For more information on SMUD's Zero Carbon Plan and its customer programs, visit smud.org.