The Solar Boat has arrived - University of Pannonia joins a very good sounding line-up

The boat race series, already known on international waters, will be held for the first time in Hungary on Lake Balaton from 22-27 August 2023. The Balaton Solar Boat Challenge is a collaboration between the University of Pannonia, the Veszprém 2023 - European Capital of Culture programme, the Hungarian Sailing Association and the Municipality of Balatonalmádi.

The boat race series, already known on international waters, will be held for the first time in Hungary on Lake Balaton from 22-27 August 2023. The Balaton Solar Boat Challenge is a collaboration between the University of Pannonia, the Veszprém 2023 - European Capital of Culture programme, the Hungarian Sailing Association and the Municipality of Balatonalmádi.

The main objective of the competition is to bring together the responsible institutions of the region to organise an innovative and sustainable international Solar Boat race, which will be the first of its kind in Hungary, and which will raise the region to a prominent position on the international stage and will define its innovative attractiveness for future generations.

International races are currently being held in Monaco, the Netherlands, Germany and Madeira in Europe, and this event in Hungary will join them.

Sustainability, environmental awareness

The main ambition of the cooperation is to educate future generations about sustainability, to demonstrate a responsible approach to the environment and the implementation of immediate action, and to showcase to the public the economic and social progress that can be achieved by bringing together different disciplines.

On Monday, the solar-powered boat that the University of Pannonia is developing, building and launching at the competition was unveiled in the University of Pannonia's lobby. Zsolt Csillag, the university's chancellor, was present at the arrival of the hull. He pointed out that one of the important strategic goals of the University of Pannonia was to be at the forefront of both education and research in the field of circular economy and sustainable development. He said that an integral part of this is to actively involve students in this work, so that they can perhaps make a lasting contribution on a global scale. But we were bold, and as we are the only university located on the shores of Lake Balaton, we wanted to use our solar technology on the water. The almost finished result of this is the boat that is now arriving in Lobby B.

The University of Pannonia and Balatonalmádi have managed to join a very good line-up, as Balatonalmádi is next in line after Amsterdam and Monaco in the World Cup race," said Zsolt Csillag.

The professional coordinator of the Pannon Solar Boat Team said, the University of Pannonia's boat will be a six-square-metre, solar-powered, electrically driven racing boat as soon as it is completed. 'We hope to start testing the boat in real life on the waves of Lake Balaton at the end of May.'

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