SOLAR CAR TEAM
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Powered by the sun. Driven by UVA students. ☀️
The Solar Car Team at UVA is an Experiential Learning Program of the School of Engineering where students obtain hands-on interdisciplinary experience in the design, manufacturing, testing, fundraising, exhibition, and racing of solar cars.
The team is organized into three sub-teams: Mechanical, Electrical, and Operations. The Mechanical sub-team focuses on designing and manufacturing braking, steering, suspension, chassis, and aerobody systems, as well as developing carbon fiber composite bodywork. The Electrical sub-team builds and integrates the vehicle’s architecture, including the battery, solar array, embedded processing, telemetry, and hardware systems. The Operations sub-team manages fundraising, accounting, university and industry relations, logistics, and outreach.
TEAM DIRECTORS
Mechanical Director
Mark Piatko
4th Year, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Electrical Director
Will Colwell
4th Year, Electrical Engineering
Engineering Director
Kevin Fleischer
4th Year, Mechanical Engineering
President
Josh Elquiero
3rd Year, Aerospace Engineering
Operations Director
Theo Harsha
3rd Year, Computer Science & Commerce
TEAM ADVISOR
Professor Adam Barnes
Senior Instructor in the ECE Department at UVA
Professor Barnes has over 20 years of experience in the collaborative design, development, and calibration of advanced sensing systems. His work spans theoretical analysis and practical implementation of mechanical and electrical systems for optimal sensor performance. He has worked closely with the FAA, EADS, and various military agencies to develop equipment meeting stringent specifications. Professor Barnes also has extensive experience communicating complex technical concepts to both domestic and international partners, and has trained numerous engineers and researchers in new procedures and technologies. His expertise includes data acquisition, real-time signal processing, vacuum systems for material deposition and microscopy, and computer systems ranging from spreadsheet programming to network and web development.