Project Manager:
Jessica Sudo
project-manager@nusolar.org
651-399-1374
Chief Engineer:
Matt Filak
engineering@nusolar.org
513-374-4178
Sponsorship Chair:
Jonathan Cook
sponsor@nusolar.org
303-5-SUNCAR
(303-578-6227)
Mailing Address:
NU Solar Car Team
c/o Prof. C.H.Wu
2145 Sheridan Road, M309
Evanston, IL 60208
Fax: 847-491-4455
About the Team
Founded in 1998, the Northwestern University Solar Car Team is an undergraduate student organization
composed of students and faculty advisors from the broad range of engineering disciplines at
Northwestern University working together to design, build, and race solar electric vehicles for
competition in the American Solar Challenge and Formula Sun races.
The team is composed of three fundamental teams: Operations, Research and Development, and Business.
Each is responsible for a function critical to the project. The Operations team is responsible for the
maintenance and improvement of the current car. Operations also does research on the current car in order to learn
what could be improved upon for our next generation solar car.
The Research and Development team is responsible for designing and building the next generation solar car.
This responsibility includes the aerodynamic, electrical, and mechanical components.
There is an aerodynamic responsibility to design a lightweight aerodynamic shell. There is an electrical
responsibility to design an efficient solar array to maximize energy conversion, a lightweight battery
pack to store supplemental power, an optimized motor to maximize efficiency, and electronic systems for control
and monitoring. There is an mechanical responsibility for a lightweight yet strong frame and a reliable suspension system.
The Business team is responsible for building ties with industry leaders to support the needs of the team.
The integral teamwork of these subgroups ensures our success in achieving our goals.
The Northwestern University Solar Car Team gives students an opportunity to become better engineers by teaching
practical engineering skills in working with budgets, deadlines, and real world problems in addition to developing
valuable leadership skills. Students are able to learn valuable design techniques, as well as steps to implement
the designs they produce. They must figure out the necessary materials, tools, and processes that best fit the
application of their designs. Throughout the process, they must work directly among their peers collaborating,
brainstorming, and solving any problem they may encounter.
Join the Team
The team is constantly looking for new members to assist in achieving our goals. If you are a student interested
in joining the team, email us to find out how you can get involved or come to one of our meetings.
Any faculty member or individual in the Northwestern community who is interested in assisting our effort should
email us to discuss participation opportunities.
We encourage everyone interested to contact the team and see what opportunities for involvement are waiting.
Don’t miss your chance to become involved with one of Northwestern’s premiere engineering groups!
Sponsor the Team
Developing a high efficiency solar race car is an expensive endeavor. If you are an individual or a company who is interested in making a monetary or in-kind donation to the team, check out the sponsors section of our web site for information on how you can help. You can also email our sponsorship team to learn more.
Watch the Team
Look here under "Announcements" for upcoming events to see the solar car in person! To keep you occupied until then, click below for a taste of the 2008 North American Solar Challenge. There are even more videos available on the videos page.
If you have any questions, please check out the FAQ page. If you still have questions feel free
to contact the team here and hopefully we can be of some assistance.
