Solar Gators

Solar Gators

The primary professional society for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering students. 

UF Branch Officers:

President Email:  president@ufsolargators.org
Vice President Email: vicepresident@ufsolargators.org
Treasurer Email: treasurer@ufsolargators.org
Secretary Email: secretary@ufsolargators.org
New Member Integration Email: newmemberintegration@ufsolargators.org
Prof. James Trainham Email: jtrainham@ufl.edu

Faculty Advisor:

Prof. Bruce Carroll
Email: bfc@ufl.edu

Activities

Solar Gators is a student-run engineering design team. Our goal is to design, build, and race a full-sized solar powered electric vehicle to provide an avenue for students to get innovative hands-on experience in the rapidly expanding world of renewable energy. Solar Gators values sustainability and the pursuit of technology towards that end. In less than a decade we have gone from the underdogs to the number one solar car team in North America as we placed First at the 2023 Formula Sun Grand Prix!

Solar Gators values inclusivity and diversity; we welcome anyone, no matter their level of experience. All we ask for is for a willingness to learn and try new things, as we make it a point to teach everyone the skills they need to be successful. New Member Integration procedures cover various engineering disciplines and prepare members for the research, design, and manufacturing tactics used by our team and in industry. Students gain knowledge that prepares them for classes later in their curriculum and the hands-on experience they have set a Solar Gators engineer apart from the crowd when applying for internships or full-time jobs. Joining Solar Gators will provide any student with the opportunity to develop technical skills and further sustainability efforts in our community.