UCF Student Winner Will Drive The Newly Named Solar Car in Homecoming Parade

By Kimberly Lewis Updated Nov. 13, 2009

Photo: Jacque Brund

UCF's sun-powered fleet car requires no fuel and virtually no electricity to recharge its battery.

Full Photo

Update: UCF's Sustainability and Energy Management department announced its winner of the car-naming contest. Student Shayn Lasa won with the suggested name "Sunny" and will get to drive the car in tomorrow's Homecoming Parade.

Submit the best name for the only solar-powered staff vehicle on a U.S. college campus, and you could drive it during the Homecoming Parade.

The University of Central Florida's Sustainability and Energy Management department is sponsoring an online contest to name the colorful vehicle with rooftop solar panels. The UCF solar car requires no fuel and virtually no electricity to recharge its battery.

Anyone can participate, and submitting an entry is easy. Click here by Nov. 11 to enter a suggested car name and a contact e-mail address. Only one entry per person is allowed.

The winner will get to drive the solar car during UCF's Homecoming parade at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14. The winner also will get his or her photo taken with the car and receive a framed 8 x 10 print.

UCF staff will select the winning name and contact the winner on Nov. 13. The winner must have a valid driver's license to drive the car in the parade.

Three solar panels, secured on the car's roof, convert the sun's energy into electricity that keeps the battery charged, even at night and on overcast or rainy days. Without the solar panels, the car would need to be plugged into an electrical outlet for eight hours each day to recharge the battery.

The car is driven daily by its inventor, David Norvell, director of Sustainability and Energy Management, to campus buildings, meetings and other university activities. The colorful, quirky car turns heads from curious onlookers and gives Norvell many opportunities to spread his message about the importance of energy conservation and environmental stewardship.

UCF Stands For Opportunity --The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 3rd largest in the nation with more than 53,500 students. UCF's first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region's economic development. UCF's culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu

< Back to the Newsroom

• About UCF
• Contact UCF
• Internet Privacy Policy
• Policies
• Regulations

© 1997-2008 University of Central Florida © 1997-2008 University of Central Florida

• 4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, Florida, 32816
• 407.823.2000

UCF Stands For Opportunity