The Montana State University Solar Vehicle Project
the 'Double Black Diamond'
Solar racing first came into the nation's spotlight when, in 1987, General Motors won the first World Solar Challenge across the Australian continent. Since then,
solar and electric races have run through Europe, Australia and nearly every state in the US. These races are home to some of the most advanced power electronics, communications, solar energy and suspension technology in the world.
With this emphasis on high technology, American colleges have begun their own tradition of solar racing - the Sunrayce. This race series began in 1990 with a race from Orlando, Florida to Lansing, Michigan, and has become
more or less a biannual national affair. The Double Black Diamond Racing team formed by David Caditz in 1991 is Montana State University's answer to the solar challenge. Double Black Diamond consists of about 20 members including
students, faculty, staff and community members. The team is nonprofit and supported by community and corporate donations. Our primary goal is to further the search for technology that leads to a cleaner, brighter future through
'hands on' teaching, research and experimentation. By participating in solar car design, students enhance their knowledge and skills and career potentials in engineering and environmental technologies. The Double Black Diamond
(DBD) Team competed successfully against 60 other college teams in the 1995 Sunrayce. DBD finished second place in a field of 20 competitors in its class of first time entries. Out of all of the teams in the Sunrayce, DBD can be
considered one of the most resourceful and creative. Instead of buying production components, the DBD Team designed, built and tested most of its own. A highlight is the DBD electric motor and controller which can be seen on
the
email: caditz@physics.montana.edu