Seventy-eight Teams Race Innovative Solar and Hydrogen Model Cars

Students Recognized for Creativity and Talent in Energy Education Event

May 16, 2009 -- Seventy-eight teams from 29 Colorado middle schools participated in today’s Junior Solar Sprint and Hydrogen Fuel Cell car competitions hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The student teams raced solar or hydrogen powered vehicles that they designed and built themselves.

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The fastest solar-powered model car was #4 from Bell Middle School (Golden) with a time of 5.12 seconds on a 20-meter track. Second place and third place trophies were awarded to car #18 and car #20 from Drake Middle School (Arvada.)

The first place trophy for solar design trophies based on technology, craftsmanship and innovation was awarded to car #75 from Woodlands Academy (Castle Rock.) Car #63 from Southern Hills Middle School (Boulder) finished in second place and car #24 from Fairmount Elementary School (Golden) was awarded third place.

The fastest hydrogen fuel cell car was car # 41 from Manning Middle School (Golden) with a time of 5:02 seconds on a 10-meter track. Second and third place trophies were awarded to car #23 from Fairmount Elementary School and car #78 of Woodlands Academy.

The first place trophy for hydrogen fuel cell design trophies based on technology, craftsmanship and innovation was awarded to given to car #77 of Woodlands Academy. Car #78 from Woodlands Academy was awarded the second place trophy and car #65 from Southern Hills Middle School was awarded the third place trophy.

The team that raced Woodlands Academy car #75 was awarded the Spirit Award for exhibiting good sportsmanship, including fairness and respectful behavior.

This year's JSS/HFC competitions were held at Jefferson County's Dakota Ridge High School.

NREL's Junior Solar Sprint and Hydrogen Fuel Cell car competitions are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Xcel Energy Foundation, General Motors, Jefferson County Public Schools, The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC and NREL.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Source: NREL