Sol de Mardi Gras: 
A Solar-Powered Boat
The objective of this project was to design, build,
test, and race a solar-powered boat as part of the international
Solar Splash Competition. A second objective was to conduct an investigation
in the use of solar power as an alternative to an internal combustion
engine on boats, and to disseminate the results of this investigation.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers sponsored
SOLAR SPLASH competition is one that involves student designed,
built, and piloted solar/electric boats. The overall scoring of
the competition is based in the combined scores of the technical
Report, Qualifying Time, Sprint Event, and Endurance Event. The
goal for the University of New Orleans' (UNO) Electric Boat Team
was to win the Sprint Event in the year 2000.
 The
University of New Orleans (UNO) entered the Solar Splash powered
competition with the Sol de Mardi Gras #68. The entry was the only
one from the Gulf Coast.
Today's graduates enter a world of collaborative enterprises.
Since each team was solely responsible for its design, marketing,
construction, and racing of the vehicle, Sol de Mardi Gras was an
excellent preparation for the transition from the university environment
to the work force. The project provided students with invaluable
education and practical experience within their respective fields.
It also gave them the opportunity to work as a collaborative team
toward a single goal.
The goal of this program was to further the development,
awareness, and use of solar technology in the State of Louisiana
and ultimately to achieve the national and global goal of a cleaner
environment.
 The
Sol de Mardi Gras allowed students from UNO develop and compete
=internationally against other schools from around the world. It
benefited the city of New Orleans, the State of Louisiana, and the
United States by ensuring that the people of the world are aware
of pollution problems and are knowledgeable about the alternatives.
The prototype solar-powered boat incorporated design
and construction that will facilitate further investigation into
efficient alternatives in hull design and internal combustion engines,
as well as for the development of efficient collection, storage,
and use of alternative fuels.
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