A new organization has been established at UCF dedicated to engaging students in sustainable engineering challenges on the track. Founded just over a month ago, Solar Knights Racing (SKR) has managed to attract over 120 new and potential members all eager to take part in working on a solar-powered racing car. The club offers an exciting platform for students to engage with cutting-edge technology and contribute to sustainable energy solutions.
UCF is an epicenter for engineering and already home to the popular Knights Racings team with a Formula 1 and a Baja section. However, the university lacked a club specifically focused on solar-powered vehicles. Recognizing this gap, the founders of SKR saw an opportunity to position UCF as a leader in solar racing and sustainability. As solar-powered vehicles are becoming more relevant to the future of transportation, SKR is positioning itself at the forefront of this movement.
“Our mission is to inspire students of all majors to apply real-world engineering skills to an alternative energy solution in a fun and thrilling manner,” says Connor Hoffman, the president and co-founder of SKR.
Hoffman’s vision for the club developed after he visited the University of Florida and met members of the Solar Gators team. Realizing UCF didn’t have a similar organization, he was inspired to create a way for students at UCF to gain experience as well as experience using solar-power vehicles and compete with other universities in Florida and beyond.
SKR’s goal is to design and build a fully functional solar-powered vehicle to compete in prestigious events like the 2026 Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge. These competitions test the endurance and performance of solar vehicles over long distances, offering a perfect opportunity for SKR members to display their engineering skills. SKR plans to develop a car that can travel over 2,000 miles across the country without any major mechanical or electrical failures. They will put the car through over 1,000 miles of stress testing before the events to ensure its competitiveness.
SKR is not just about designing and building a solar car—it’s about fostering a community of students passionate about renewable energy, engineering, and innovation. Hoffman highlights the importance of making it easy for new members to get involved right away.
“Students who join can expect to gain experience in CAD and problem solving with a team of engineers. We have been focusing heavily on organization and implementation of new members to make it as seamless and intuitive as possible to get a functional car operational, as well as for new members to get involved and make meaningful contributions.”
To facilitate this, SKR holds regular design meetings where new members can collaborate with subsystem team leads, allowing them to contribute to key design decisions. This ensures that all participants can enhance their learning experience through direct involvement in the project.
Although the club is still in its infancy, the founders are committed to creating a legacy as a sustainable and impactful organization. Hoffman placed an emphasis on his long-term vision.
“At SKR, we are trying everything we can do to make sure this club lasts longer than us.”
For those interested in joining, SKR offers multiple ways to get involved. Students can reach Hoffman for more information.
- Written by Madelyn Sutterfield