Junior Solar Sprint

Conferences for Educators

Workshops for Educators

Educational Materials

Getting around Clean and Green in the Pioneer Valley

K-12 Education Links

Where to Purchase JSS Panels, Motors, & Kits

Solar Panels & Motors

The Ray Catcher solar panel sold by Pitsco and the JSS Solar Panel sold by Solar World may both be used for the Northeast JSS competition. The motors supplied with these panels (Mabuchi #280-2865 and Mabuchi #260-18130) may also be used. Additionally, the official solar panels used in 1995-2001 and the motors from the 1996-2001 competitions may also be re-used. Any other panels and motors may not be used in the competition.  

Pitsco:
Ray Catcher Solar Panel $39.95
Basic Kit $44.95
(panel, 280 motor, alligator clips)
Accessory items and deluxe kit also available.
Phone: 1-800-358-4983
Web: www.shop-pitsco.com

Solar World:
Solar Panel $27.99
Basic Kit $29.99
(panel, 260 motor with lead wires, motor mount, 3 size pinion gears)
Accessory items also available.
Phone: 1-719-635-5125, 1-800-246-7012
Fax: 1-719-635-5398
Web: www.solar-world.com/JuniorSprint.htm

Other Parts

Learning is greatly enhanced when students need to understand:

• properties of materials to choose the best chassis
• forces and friction to devise the best bearings
• gear ratios to design the best transmission and choose wheel size
• how geometry relates to a solar panel in order to design for the most power
• aerodynamics to design the fastest body

Because of this we encourage teachers to gather a collection of materials for their students to experiment with rather than depend on a pre-designed kit. For ideas on what materials to use we recommend downloading the teaching resources provided on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory web site: www.nrel.gov/education/jss_hfc.html.