Introduction
We are AGH Solar Boat, a team of over 100 passionate students from the AGH University of Krakow, Poland. Since 2015, our mission has been to revolutionise marine transportation by designing and building high-performance, zero-emission vessels powered by solar energy and advanced autonomy. From our humble beginnings in a university workshop to competing on the global stage in Monaco and the USA, we combine engineering excellence with a deep commitment to environmental sustainability.
Our Current Projects: Delta and Barka
This season, we are developing two advanced platforms targeting different domains of marine innovation:
Delta - Solar Racing Boat
Delta is our latest high-performance solar racing vessel, designed as an evolution of Baśka and Celka. The primary design objective is to maximise the power-to-drag ratio under strict solar input constraints.
Key technical features include:
- Hydrofoil-assisted hull - designed to partially lift the vessel above the water, significantly reducing wetted surface area and hydrodynamic drag
- Custom photovoltaic array - optimised for maximum efficiency under dynamic illumination conditions, with MPPT-controlled power distribution
- Lightweight composite structure - manufactured using pre-impregnated carbon fibre fabrics, ensuring a high stiffness-to-weight ratio
- Optimised propulsion system - including a high-efficiency electric motor, custom transmission, and a propeller matched to operating conditions
The entire system is validated through CFD simulations and real-world testing, allowing us to fine-tune lift characteristics, stability, and energy consumption.
Barka - Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV)
Barka is a modular autonomous catamaran designed for both competition and real-world applications in environmental monitoring.
Core system architecture includes:
- Sensor fusion stack - combining LiDAR, cameras, IMU, and RTK-GNSS for high-precision localisation and obstacle detection
- Neural network-based perception - enabling object classification and decision-making in dynamic environments
- Autonomous navigation algorithms - including path planning, collision avoidance, and adaptive control
- Modular payload system - allowing integration of environmental sensors for water quality analysis and bathymetric mapping
The vessel operates on a distributed embedded system architecture, ensuring robustness and scalability across different mission profiles.
Why We Do It
The maritime industry is one of the last frontiers for decarbonization. By participating in international competitions like the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge and RoboBoat, we treat every race as a real-world laboratory. Our goal is to prove that solar energy and autonomous systems are not just "future concepts" but viable solutions for today's ecological challenges.
Looking Ahead: Krakow Solar Boat Challenge 2026
We are also thrilled to announce that we are organising the first-ever Krakow Solar Boat Challenge in July 2026. This international event will bring teams from across Europe to our home city, fostering a community of innovators dedicated to green tech.
Join Our Journey!
We believe that the best way to predict the future is to build it. Follow our progress as we prepare for the 2025/2026 season! We are excited to share our technical milestones, from composite hull infusions to AI algorithm training, right here on DesignSpark.
AGH Solar Boat are winners of the RS Student Project Fund
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