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Thirty-Six Solar-Powered Boats Compete in Three-Day Event at Lake Skinner, Temecula

Solar Cup teams from schools in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego counties are participating in this eighth-annual competition, the largest high school-level solar boat competition in the nation, if not the world.

Friday, the boats will be inspected and tested for maneuverability and safety by Metropolitan staff and a technical advisory team from Occidental College. Saturday will feature the single-seat, solar-powered 16-foot sculls carrying solar-collection panels in endurance races around a 1.6-kilometer course.

Sunday is highlighted by 200-meter sprint races-in which the solar panels are removed and the boats are powered by solar energy stored in batteries. The competition concludes with an awards ceremony where trophies are awarded in veteran and newcomer divisions for teams with the highest points, as well as to teams honored for "Hottest-Looking Boat," teamwork and sportsmanship.

The races are easily visible from the shore, and the event is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission and parking. Lake Skinner is at 37701 Warren Road, Winchester, in the Temecula Valley of southwest Riverside County-about 10 miles northeast of the Rancho California Road exit off Interstate 15.

"The seven-month Solar Cup program and the three-day event are an excellent opportunity for Metropolitan and its member water agencies to teach tomorrow's leaders about renewable resources, the continuing need for a sound water conservation ethic, and environmental stewardship," said Metropolitan General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger.

This year's defending champions are both high schools in Anaheim: Canyon High School, which won the 2009 Veterans Division (and was also victorious in the 2003, '04 and '05 events). Savanna High school, which won the 2009 Newcomer Division, will now compete with the veterans.

Winners are the teams with the highest number of points gained in the competitions, technical inspections, submission of three technical reports, creation of a public information project, which includes a public service announcement and presentation of a water-conservation or water-science activity.

Participating teams, sponsored by their local water agencies, are from Anaheim (3 teams), Chino Hills, Claremont, Compton, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, Fullerton, Hacienda Heights, Inglewood, La Canada Flintridge, Lake Forest, La Mirada, La Puente, Lawndale, Los Angeles (2), Lynwood, Menifee, Mira Loma, Murrieta, Nuevo, Pasadena, Perris, Pomona, Riverside, Rolling Hills Estates, San Diego, San Jacinto, Santa Monica, Scripps Ranch, Torrance, Walnut and Wildomar.

In addition, for the first time, this year's Solar Cup will include 20-minute hands-on presentations by each team, in the Activities Pavilion, of a water-conservation or water-science activity in which the audience can participate. There again will be a continual presentation of the teams' 30-second, self-scripted and produced, water-conservation videos, audiotapes and/or brochures.

Event videos and photos from past Solar Cup events can be found under Education Programs at Metropolitan's Web site, mwdh2o.com.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Rob Hallwachs, 213-217-6450; 213-324-1255, cell phone