The group of high school students who will participate in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2026 competition. Photo provided.
A group of students from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (RUM) campus, who designed a solar-powered aquatic vehicle, will compete for the first time in the worldwide event Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, which will be held in Monaco from July 3 to 11.
The collegiate team UPRM Boat Solar will represent Puerto Rico in the Energy Class category, facing countries like Spain, Poland, and Turkey, with their proposal for the boat that runs on solar panels. This was announced by Dr. Guillermo Serrano, director of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who is the advisor to the group.
“The group has decided to embark on this new adventure. In the past, we participated in what we know as the Solar Splash, which is a solar boat event in the United States. We competed there more than seven times, even placing first on several occasions. Two years ago, we decided to be part of this international journey, and although we couldn't attend last year, this 2026 we are working hard to achieve it. We ask for your support for these students, as this represents an excellent experience for their development,” said Dr. Serrano.
One of the team members, Alondra Vélez Avilés, an Electrical Engineering student, has been collaborating for two years on the innovative solar boat, both in its mechanical part and its design and construction.
“On this occasion, we are facing the challenge of taking our solar boat to Europe and representing the Mayagüez Campus and Puerto Rico. We are starting from scratch with everything related to the integration of computer components to obtain information such as telemetry. This event will be very competitive, so we are giving our best as a group. Recently, we conducted all the water tests and obtained satisfactory results regarding its performance,” Alondra stated.
The president of the University of Puerto Rico, Dr. Zayira Jordán Conde, and the interim rector of RUM, Dr. Miguel A. Muñoz, highlighted the achievement of the student team that will be a global ambassador for the country's leading public educational institution.
“The participation of this team in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge demonstrates that the innovation developed in our laboratories and workshops has the capacity to compete in top-tier international scenarios. These students not only designed a solar-powered vessel; they are also validating their talent against some of the most recognized universities and engineering centers in the world. That is precisely the type of transformative experience that the University of Puerto Rico promotes: converting knowledge into real solutions and preparing professionals capable of leading the technologies of the future,” reiterated Dr. Jordán Conde.
“I congratulate this group of students and Dr. Guillermo Serrano for demonstrating that our Mayagüez University Campus prepares professionals of excellence, innovators, capable of establishing new frontiers of knowledge and developing significant projects that transcend overseas. This is the first time we are competing against universities that hold a very important position in international maritime engineering. We are taking the first step into a new field, and with capability and talent, we contribute and commit to our knowledge, science, and technology. I wish and predict the greatest success for them,” concluded interim rector, Miguel A. Muñoz.
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