Técnico Solar Boat 2025

Técnico Solar Boat is an open-source university project composed of students from various engineering disciplines at Instituto Superior Técnico. Our partners support us in achieving our main objectives: raising awareness of renewable energy sources and promoting sustainable mobility.

We design and develop manned boats that are entirely planned and built by our team, using solar and hydrogen power. Currently, we have three solar-powered prototypes, the first Portuguese hydrogen-powered boat, SM01 (São Miguel 01), and its successor, SM02, along with our first autonomous prototype, SP01 (São Pedro 01).

Recently, we embarked on an exciting new project: the construction of a larger vessel powered by both solar energy and hydrogen, the “São Gabriel 01 (SG01).” As this is a brand-new vessel, our work in the Electrical Systems department has been extensive, requiring the development of several new printed circuit boards (PCBs). The Battery Management System (BMS) PCB is designed to ensure the safety of the vessel’s battery and high-voltage systems, marking our first implementation of a slave-master topology in this type of PCB. Additionally, we developed several other PCBs for our high-voltage systems, including the pre-charge PCB, which minimizes inrush current when connecting the motor controller, and the TSAL (Tractive System Active Light), which alerts passengers and maintenance personnel to the presence of high voltage outside the battery. Finally, we designed a discharge PCB, a small yet crucial board that allows the team to fully discharge the tractive system in just five seconds in case of emergency.

Our manned vessels compete in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, one of the world’s largest solar boat competitions, alongside more than 30 teams from various countries. Some of our greatest achievements include second place in the Monaco Solar Class in 2019 with SR02 (predecessor to SR03), third place with SR03 in 2022, and second place again in the most recent competition in 2024. Following improvements to our hydrogen systems, SM01 received the Innovation Prize in Monaco in both 2019 and 2022. Our second hydrogen-powered boat, SM02, was awarded the Eco-Conception Prize in 2024 for its environmentally friendly design. This year, we will compete in the Sealab Class with our latest prototype, SG01, and we have high expectations for our autonomous vessel in this year’s competition. SP01 earned second place and the Best Ship Design award in Njord, Norway, and we are preparing to compete again in Njord this year.

Beyond competitions, we have taken part in and organized several other projects. In 2022, we planned and competed in the inaugural Madeira Solar Challenge, finishing in first place. Additionally, we hosted Odisseia TSB in 2020 and 2021—the first edition along the Portuguese coast and the second on Madeira, one of our archipelagos. These events aimed to promote sustainable mobility, increase awareness of renewable energy, and raise our national profile. This September, we will host another edition of Odisseia to showcase our latest prototype. The event will take place on the southern coast of Portugal and will feature demonstrations of the boat both on land and at sea.

For more information please visit the Técnico Solar Boat website.