Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge

6 - 10 July 2020

Organised since 2014 by the Yacht Club de Monaco, in collaboration with the International Powerboating Federation (UIM) and Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Solar & Energy Boat Challenge is unique in the world.

More than a century after the first international powerboat meetings were launched in 1904, the YCM is reviving a tradition by leaving the field wide open to innovation and the imaginations of young engineers, working hand in hand with experienced manufacturers. Their goal is to develop alternative propulsion systems, using only clean energy sources to power the yachting of tomorrow. A real technological challenge to meet the energy needs of the leisure boat and shipping industries and the accompanying environmental prerogatives.

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For this year, the 7th Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge has a “virtual” format that enables contestants to submit a presentation on their project to a Technical Jury. This will be followed by an online oral defence of their projects, with each team being given an opportunity between 30th June to 4th July to showcase work before an online awards ceremony on Wednesday 8th July at 11am. Find the audition schedule here.

There are three prizes to be won.

The Innovation Prize for the most advanced improvements of visionary and relevant innovations, the aim being to promote systems that can be adapted to meet the sector’s requirements. Candidates need to prepare a written presentation of their project, supported by photos, sketches or videos, plus a critical analysis of the advantages and disadvantages. Their conclusions should be based on tests carried out to prove the efficiency of the boat and its clean energy fuel source.
The Eco Conception Prize puts the spotlight not only on the efficiency of the materials and processes, but also its contribution to science and the candidates’ commitment to sharing good practices. Participation in a collaborative approach, preventive actions, the boat’s performance and reduced impact on the environment are the cornerstones of a project in this category, which also requires a written presentation and analysis to be submitted as above.
Finally, the Spirit Prize reflects the spirit of the contest by rewarding participants for originality in how they present their work with a 1 minute 20 second video, produced by team members, showing the boat, how it evolved and the technical work achieved over the past few months.