Hessen SolarCup: Spectacle on Kassel's Königsplatz

"It is impressive to see how much ingenuity, determination and enjoyment the girls and boys put into this task," said a delighted University President Prof. Dr. Ute Clement. "In this way, the event brings young people closer to important technical and social topics - topics that we at the university also deal with intensively from a scientific perspective." She thanked the organizing team and the sponsors.

The pupils and trainees - mainly from the region - compete with their vehicles and robots in four disciplines:

• The "Solar Boats" category is available for primary school pupils (from Year 3). With a drive module consisting of a solar cell, motor and propeller, which is specified for all boats, five boats sail at a time.
• Pupils from the 5th grade up to A-levels and trainees build ultra-light solar-powered vehicles. The components can be chosen freely, the size of the solar module is limited to 278 cm². The models drive on a race track in the shape of a figure 8.
• The SolaRobots, recommended from grade 7, are only limited in absolute size. Everything else is freely selectable. It all depends on the interaction of the sensors and the programming.
• The remote-controlled solar mobiles are reserved for trainees and the upper school. Vehicles are built according to their own designs and compete against each other on a large circuit. Not only speed is required here, but also endurance.

In all competitions, the winner is not necessarily the one with the fastest vehicle. The teams must also demonstrate a critical approach to the vehicles and an environmental topic in the form of a poster.

The competition is organized by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering/Computer Science at the University of Kassel. The university is supported by the CDW Foundation, Städtische Werke Kassel and the Volkswagen plant in Kassel. The City of Kassel is a co-organizer. The Berufs-Bildungswerk-Nordhessen has been very involved in setting up and dismantling for years. Daimler Truck, Städtische Werke Kassel, Volkswagen Werk Kassel and BBW Nordhessen help with the organization of the competitions.