About Us
We are a solar car team from Hood River, Oregon. Our goal is to compete in the Solar Car Challenge in Texas in July 2026. This is our first year and as such, we are truly building this car from the ground up! We’re designing, engineering, and building a car entirely powered by the sun. What started as an idea grew into a team that with teamwork, creativity, and grit – a small-town team can take on a big challenge.
So far our journey is filled with learning, marathon CAD sessions, problem-solving, and a lot of stories. Along the way, we’re gaining hands-on experience in solar energy, engineering design, and leadership. From Hood River to Texas, we’re driven by curiosity, teamwork, and the dream of seeing our solar car cross that finish line.
Mission
Design, build, and race a solar-powered car across Texas in the Solar Car Challenge.
The Race
The Solar Car Challenge is a national high school competition that inspires students to design, build, and drive roadworthy cars powered entirely by the sun. Founded in 1993 by Dr. Lehman Marks, the program’s mission is to movtivate young people in science, engineering, and alternative energy through hands-on learning.
Each year, teams from across the country come together to test their cars in either a closed-track race at the Texas Motor Speedway or an exciting cross-country adventure. The event celebrates innovation, problem-solving, and the power of student creativity-proving that with determination and sunlight, the next generation can drive the future of clean energy.
days
hours minutes seconds
until
Solar Car Challenge
Spotlight
Our first year team is both in the news and around our community. Come find us in the community as we share our journey towards the Solar Car Challenge. Each appearance helps spread excitement, pride, and awareness.
Support Us
We need your support to help empower the next generation of engineers. As a first-year team from Hood River, Oregon, we’re learning to design, build, and race a solar-powered car from the ground-up. An incredible challenge that teaches real-world skills in engineering, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. Donations directly fund essential materials, tools, and the travel cost for competing at the Solar Car Challenge, where we’ll proudly represent our school and community on a national stage. Every contribution helps us turn “sunlight into motion”!
Join Us
Solar Storms Team is an hands-on activities that are not taught in school. We explore topics such as welding, wiring, cad, business, and much more. We need mentors to help us learn more about engineering, designing, and managing the business side of things! We’re looking for mentors willing to donate their time to help us reach our goal. If you have any availability or interest please let us know by signing up down below or emailing us at: HRVHS.solarcar@gmail.com
Meet Our Sponsors
Spotlight Sponsor
OverWatch
Overwatch Imaging is an imagery-intelligence technology company delivering sensor autonomy for time-critical airborne search, detection, tracking, and monitoring missions. Founded in 2006 in Hood River, Oregon, the company is part of the vibrant aerospace community in the Columbia River Gorge. Overwatch Imaging proudly supports several local technology initiatives, including the Gorge Technology Alliance, the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition, the AUVSI Cascade Chapter, and the Solar Storms program. We enthusiastically support the next generation of engineers and innovators and look forward to seeing them grow into skilled professionals who can contribute to meaningful technology solutions.
Solar Storms Solar Car Team 