Come join us at the following information sessions for Spring 2026 Semester!

INFO SESSION 1 Room: Rapson 58 Time: 6:00PM to 7:00PM Date: Thursday, Jan 22, 2026

INFO SESSION 2 Room: 216 Pillsbury 125 Time: 6:00PM to 7:00PM Date: Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026

INFO SESSION 3 Room: Rapson 58 Time: 6:00PM to 7:00PM Date: Thursday, Jan 29, 2026

INFO SESSION 4 Room: Rapson 58 Time: 11:00AM to 12:00PM Date: Saturday, Jan 31, 2026

ORIENTATIONS:

Operations: Shepherd Labs Drone Room 6:00PM to 7:00PM Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026

Mechanical: MechE 212 6:00PM-7:00PM Thursday, Feb 5, 2026

Composites and Structures: MechE 212 6:00PM-7:00PM Thursday, Feb 5, 2026

Electrical: MechE 108 6:30PM-7:30PM Thursday, Feb 5, 2026

Array: Folwell 30 6:00PM-7:00PM Monday, Feb 2, 2026

 
 

Top reasons why students join our team:

1)    Looking to gain both technical and interpersonal skills that will help them stand out when applying for internships, full-time jobs, and graduate school.

2)    Desire to learn about the cutting-edge technologies that are used to design, build, and race electric vehicles.

3)    Passion for renewable energy and sustainable technologies.

4)    Wanting to go beyond what can be done as an individual working on a project and contribute to something bigger.

5)    Interested in getting hands-on experience working on a car.

6)    Getting to socialize and network with other students.

7)    The opportunity to race the car across the United States and the Australian Outback.

All of the above are just some of the many great experiences that students are able to have as part of their involvement with the team. No prior experience is necessary, but is certainly welcomed. We are looking for students who are interested in learning what it takes to design, build, finance, and market a competitive solar car. Send us an email at svp@umn.edu to learn more about the team and how to join!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to have any experience before joining the team?

A: Nope! We will teach you everything you need to know. Just be willing to ask questions and learn.

 

Q: I’m worried about balancing my commitment to the team with my classes and work, how many hours per week is the average member expected to put into the team?

A: Many students on the team are full-time students that work part-time jobs, so it is definitely manageable. A good estimate would be about 10 hours a week spent on team related work.

 

Q: I’m majoring in [insert your major here], can I join the team?

A: Yes! Everyone is welcome to join the team regardless of their major. Most students on the team are majoring in either engineering or business, but regardless of what you’re interested in, we probably have something that will fit your interests.

 

Q: What days and how often does the team meet?

A: When you join the team, you will choose a sub-team to be a part of. Your sub-team will meet once a week for about an hour in the evenings. All-team meetings are held every other week on Saturdays.