Alternative energy with a sunny twist: UNI to host solar boating competition

The University of Northern Iowa has won the hosting duty for Solar Splash, an intercollegiate world championship solar-boating competition. The first five-day competition ran in 1994. UNI will become the host for 2011, 2012 and 2013.

"Housing this at UNI ... will show our support to a sustainable Iowa," UNI Solar Panthers Advisor Recayi Pecen said.

According to Pecen, one reason UNI will host for three years is that it is very difficult to set up for the competition. Buoys have to be placed in the lake, major tents must be set up and the overall structure must be assembled.

The application process for hosts started last fall, when Carissa Skarin and Kim Burger of the Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau collaborated with Pecen and others to compile their proposal.

Then officials from the Solar Splash competition came in July. Pecen stated that the site and lake are smaller than Fayetteville where it was held in the past, but the proximity to local businesses was ideal. If something breaks, there are many easily accessible businesses that carry the supplies needed to repair the boats.

Each Solar Splash team has approximately 10 people and there are 20 teams from all over the world. UNI's team includes seven students.

Referees from all over the world inspect and judge components including visual displays and workmanship, sprint, slalom, endurance race, a technical report and specifics of the boat. Students engineer, design and fabricate their boat from start to finish.

There is also what Pecen called the "friendship" component. The students are awarded points anonymously by referees for their kindness to other teams, such as helping foreign students navigate the area, loaning tools and being friendly. Pecen said that the Solar Panthers actually earned 100 percent of these points at the 2009 competition in Fayetteville, Ark.

The UNI Solar Panthers team this year will consist of undergraduate students of all grade levels.

"We open the group to any major, including public relations, art, computers, manufacturing, electrical engineering technology, technical (education)," said Pecen.

Becoming a Solar Panther does not hinge on one's knowledge or experience with solar energy. When students are interviewed by Pecen and the current Solar Panthers, there are other criteria involved, including personality.

"It's not what you know; it's what you want to know," said Solar Panthers team member Hannah Loan, a junior electrical engineering technology major.

According to Loan, she knew little about it when she began working with the group. Cooperation and the ability to work well with the group are very important.

"Personality-wise, we all get along great," she said.

Integral to the success of the Solar Panthers are their industrial advisors. Having personnel from former Solar Panther teams helps the group keep the knowledge intact from previous years.

"Our program is hands-on," said Pecen, sho sees the diverse education at UNI as an advantage.

Loan agreed that UNI allows her to get a more hands-on experience.

"I think there is an advantage in it," stated Loan. "I know all my professors."

The group will need local sponsorship and according to Pecen, the process has begun.

The Solar Panthers team feels it has an advantage knowing and competing in its home environment.

Bringing this competition to Cedar Falls will also benefit UNI students by supporting interests in renewable energy.

"It's the future: no pollutants," said Pecen.