Illini Solar Car

Illini Solar Car is a registered 501(c)(3) non-for-profit that designs, builds, tests, and races a custom car that runs on solar power. We are currently in the testing phase of our third car, Calypso, and are in need of additional funding to complete the car and race in the 2024 Electrek American Solar Challenge (ASC) and Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP) this summer.

Every donation means the world to our team and will make an immediate impact towards achieving our goal of competing in ASC and FSGP.

To thank you for your donations we have the following crowdfunding rewards:

$10 – $25:

Wallpaper Pack and Tax Benefits: A downloadable package of Illini Solar Car wallpapers for Desktop and Mobile devices as well as tax benefits for donating to a registered charity.

$25 – $50:

Postcard and Sticker: A handwritten postcard from the team and a sticker featuring our logo.

$50 – $100:

Team Shirt: A short sleeve team shirt. The classic Illini Solar Car apparel!

$100 – $250:

Calypso Model: A 3-D printed model of the newest generation of the Illini Solar Car, Calypso.

$250 – $500:

Illini Solar Car Mug: Receive a custom coffee mug featuring the Illini Solar Car logo.

$500 - $1000:

Crew Neck and Sponsor Recognition: A limited edition crewneck. Additionally, your name will be listed on the sponsor page of our website.

$1000+:

Team Polo, PCB Coaster, and Baseball Hat: A limited edition Illini Solar Car baseball hat, team polo shirt, and a coaster made from one of our printed circuit boards.

All levels include perks of all previous donations levels. We cover domestic shipping costs; contact us to discuss international shipping.

Illini Solar Car's first race as a team was competing in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in 2017 with our first car, Argo. Since then Argo went on to race twice in America. In 2021 our team debuted Brizo, the second-generation Illini Solar Car. Brizo went on to place 4th overall in the American solar challenge in 2021 and raced again in 2022.

Now, our team is ready to return to the world stage in 2023. We've been working hard on our most innovative car yet slotted to debut at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge next year. This race is the most prestigious and challenging solar race in the world. Starting in Darwin, our team will drive over 3000km (> 1800 mi!) along the Stuart Highway over the course of 5-7 days across the Australian outback to complete the race in Adelaide.

We need all the help we can get from friends and family in order to make it to Australia next fall. With your support, you’ll be helping our team build our third car and travel to the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

Learn more about the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge: www.worldsolarchallenge.org

Please note - if you work for an organization that matches donations through Benevity or another method, please consider making your contribution in this manner to increase your impact. Your donation rewards will be adjusted to include the matching.

As a thank you for your donation we’d like to offer you the following rewards. All levels include the perks of the previous donation levels.

$10 – $25:

Wallpaper Pack and Tax Benefits: A downloadable package of Illini Solar Car wallpapers for Desktop and Mobile devices as well as tax benefits for donating to a registered charity.

$25 – $50:

Postcard and Sticker: A handwritten postcard from the team and a vinyl sticker featuring our logo.

$50 – $100:

Team Shirt: A short sleeve team shirt. The classic Illini Solar Car apparel!

$100 – $250:

Brizo Model: A 3-D printed model of the current generation of the Illini Solar Car, Brizo.

$250 – $500:

Illini Solar Car Calendar: Receive a 2023 Illini Solar Car Calendar as well as an embroidered Illini Solar Car beanie hat.

$500 - $1000:

PCB Coasters and Sponsor Recognition: Receive a set of four coasters made from real printed circuit boards. Additionally, your name will be listed on the sponsor page of our website.

$1000+:

Day with the Team: You will get to spend a day with the team on campus!

We will be returning to the American Solar Challenge this upcoming summer to race Brizo once again. To do so, we need your help! Keep reading to learn more about the history of our team and the exciting perks that come with supporting Illini Solar Car.

The Illini Solar Car team was founded in 2014, and shortly afterwards we built our first car Argo. Argo debuted at the 2017 World Solar Challenge, and went on to race over 10,000 miles across the United States and Australia. Argo competed in the 2018 American Solar Challenge, earning 7th place, and the 2019 Formula Sun Grand Prix, earning 4th place.

 

Our second car Brizo was unveiled in March of 2021. Brizo then debuted at the 2021 American Solar Challenge and Formula Sun Grand Prix. We placed 3rd at FSGP and 4th on the road, with the second highest official travelled miles of all teams. Brizo represents a significant design change and shift for our team - Brizo’s monohull design is sleeker and more efficient than Argo could ever have been. Our third car will again represent a step forward for our team as we continue to push the envelope of sustainable transportation.

 

Since our first year as a group of 20-some engineers, our team has grown to over 200, including majors from across the University of Illinois. Our students gain unparalleled experience with industry-standard tools and technologies in building our cars, preparing them for their further academic or professional careers.

 

With another successful race under our belts, our team is eagerly looking forward to the future and what it holds for us. We will be racing Brizo once again in the 2022 American Solar Challenge, seeking an even better result and setting the stage for our third vehicle.

 

With this campaign, we are inviting you to support our mission as we race Brizo once again and aid us in expanding the horizons of solar car racing.

 

Please note - if you work for an organization that matches donations through Benevity or another method, please consider making your contribution in this manner to increase your impact. Your donation rewards will be adjusted to include the matching.

 

To thank you for your donations:

 

$10 – $25:

Wallpaper Pack and Tax Benefits: A downloadable package of Illini Solar Car wallpapers for Desktop and Mobile devices as well as tax benefits for donating to a registered charity.

 

$25 – $50:

Postcard and Sticker: A handwritten postcard from the team and a vinyl sticker featuring our logo.

 

$50 – $100:

Team Shirt: A short sleeve team shirt. The classic Illini Solar Car apparel!

 

$100 – $250:

Brizo Model: A 3-D printed model of the newest generation of the Illini Solar Car, Brizo.

 

$250 – $500:

Illini Solar Car Calendar and Baseball Hat: Receive a 2022 Illini Solar Car Calendar as well as an embroidered Illini Solar Car baseball hat.

 

$500 - $1000:

Crew Neck and Sponsor Recognition: A limited edition Brizo crewneck. Additionally, your name will be listed on the sponsor page of our website.

 

$1000+:

Race Picture Book and Day with the Team: Receive a limited edition picture book from our experience at the 2021 American Solar Challenge signed by the race team. Additionally, you will get to spend a day with the team on campus!

All levels include perks of all previous donations levels.