Solar boat regatta: Wildau University of Applied Sciences invites you to race

For the tenth edition of the Wildau Solar Boat Regatta, international teams will meet on 6 September 2025 on the River Dahme, just 600 metres from the university campus. The event is organised by the TH Wildau in cooperation with Wassersportclub Wildau e.V. and Solarbootverein Deutschland e.V.

Teams from Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary and other countries will compete in a challenging course that will put the endurance, speed and strategic skills of man and machine to the test. Spectators will have the opportunity to experience innovative technology and sporting competition up close.

Competition format and procedure

The solar boat regatta is divided into several disciplines that challenge different aspects of solar boat technology. "We will once again be able to experience many exciting competitions this year. In the first round, the field will test the endurance of the boats over three hours. This will be followed by the speed of the boats and finally a duel between the competing boats," explains Prof Jörg Reiff-Stephan from the TH Wildau. The competition day begins at 10:00 a.m. with a welcome from the President of the TH Wildau, Prof Ulrike Tippe, and the Mayor of Wildau, Frank Nerlich. The endurance race follows from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., in which the boats have to cover the greatest possible distance in three hours. After a short break, the sprints are on the programme from 14:30 to 15:30, in which the boats complete two 200-metre sections including turning manoeuvres.

Organisation and spectator information

The organisation of the regatta is in the hands of Prof. Jörg Reiff-Stephan, founding member of Solarbootverein Deutschland e.V., and Prof. Alexander Köthe, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at the TH Wildau. "Spectators will have an excellent view of the racing action thanks to the proximity to the competition venue and will be able to share in the excitement. We are looking forward to many curious guests and a great day on the banks of the Dahme. A big thank you in advance to our sponsors and many helpers who make this regatta possible," emphasises Prof. Reiff-Stephan. Visitors will be well catered for - hopefully with the best weather, they can watch the races from the shore. Admission to the event is free, making the regatta an attractive destination for those interested in technology and families.

History and significance of the solar boat regatta

The solar boat regatta looks back on a long tradition. The idea was born at the end of the 1980s as part of school-based environmental education, inspired by the reaction to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Over the years, this educational approach has developed into an internationally recognised competition that promotes and presents innovative technologies in the field of renewable energies. The Wildau Solar Boat Regatta combines sporting competition with technological innovation and environmental awareness. The event provides a platform for exchange between students, researchers and technology enthusiasts and demonstrates practical applications of renewable energies. With the tenth edition in 2025, the regatta celebrates a special anniversary and emphasises the continuous development and relevance of solar boat technology.

Support and contact

The Wildau Solar Boat Regatta is supported by numerous partners. Supporters include the Villa am See Wildau, the Wildau Water Sports Club, the student council of the TH Wildau and many helpers from the region. The city of Wildau, the Red Cross and the Wildau volunteer fire brigade also contribute to the success of the event. Anyone who would like to take part in the solar boat regatta with a team or support the event can contact the organisation team. Contact persons are Prof Jörg Reiff-Stephan and Prof Alexander Köthe, who can be reached at solarboot@th-wildau.de.

Programme of the solar boat regatta

• 10:00 - 10:15 am: Welcome by the President of the TH Wildau, Prof Ulrike Tippe, and the Mayor of Wildau, Frank Nerlich
• 10:30 am - 1:30 pm: Endurance race - the boats cover the greatest possible distance in three hours
• 14:30 - 15:30: Sprint - two running sections of 200 m each, including turning manoeuvres
• 15:30 - 16:30: Duels - head-to-head race in direct comparison
• 17:00: Award ceremony and prize-giving