Solar Splash Set For Fayetteville

For those who wish to watch technology churn the Northwest Arkansas waters, the 13th annual Solar Splash will be held June 21-25 at Lake Fayetteville.

The intercollegiate competition pits solar/electric boating teams in endurance, sprint and slalom events.

Alan Mantooth, professor of electrical engineering at the University of Arkansas, said the boats are an exercise in balancing electrical and mechanical engineering to overcome design challenges and create a boat that will beat the competition.

“That’s what engineering is all about: compromise,” Mantooth said.

Teams are made up of students from both electrical and mechanical disciplines.

Mantooth said the UA team generally has an annual budget between $25,000 and $30,000, which is met by discretionary funds from the various engineering departments and through private donations. This year, Baldor Electric Co. in Fort Smith donated a dynamometer (a device used to measure an engine’s power) worth about $10,000 and Ranger Boats of Flippin cast the boat hull.

This is the first time the event has been held in Arkansas.

Eighteen teams will compete in Fayetteville including teams from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and Tulane University in New Orleans.

The UA won second place in the overall competition in both 2005 and 2004 after ranking sixth overall in 2003.