About

Hey, we are Swiss Solar Boat

Strengthening Learning

Provide EPFL students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world projects, from Bachelor to Master levels.

Sharing a Human Adventure

Foster a culture of knowledge exchange and collective effort to achieve a common goal, where each member contributes to a shared vision.

Raising Awareness of Green Energy

Use our hybride solar-hydrogen-powered boats to demonstrate the transformative potential of renewable energy in the maritime sector.

Proposing an Innovative Concept

Design and build boats that incorporate unique, state-of-the-art technologies, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Serious Commitment

Produce tangible results that showcase the expertise and abilities of our student engineers.

Representing Switzerland

Compete internationally, such as in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, to showcase Swiss engineering prowess and leadership in sustainable technologies.

Vision

At Swiss Solar Boat, we envision a future where maritime mobility is both sustainable and innovative. By exploring cutting-edge technologies like hydrogen propulsion, solar energy, and foiling systems, we aim to make steps toward zero-emission boats. In a time of pressing climate challenges, we believe in the potential for positive change and are committed to showcasing that sustainable solutions are not only viable but essential. Our vision is also deeply rooted in fostering collaboration between students and professionals, preparing a new generation of engineers through hands-on experience.

Mission

Our mission is to inspire and educate through innovation, challenge ourselves in competitive arenas, and raise global awareness of the importance of green energy. We believe in pushing the boundaries of maritime technology while fostering a culture of sustainability and collaboration.

2025 — Lausanne Nautical Innovation Days

The team co-initiated the Lausanne Nautical Innovation Days held in October, an event that brought together various partners working toward establishing the Léman region as a hub for sustainable maritime mobility.

Co-initiated Lausanne Nautical Innovation Days in October
Established partnerships for Léman as sustainable maritime hub

Learn more about LNID

2025 — Monaco Energy Boat Challenge

Additionally, the team participated in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) in July, a farewell tour for the Dahu.

Learn more about MEBC

2025 — REF Design Reveal

2025 was marked by intensive work on the structure and other core components of our next-generation hydrogen-electric prototype, the Renewable Energy Foiler. Key milestones included the production of the torpedo in January, cockpit fabrication in February, motor and low-voltage test bench refinements in April, and deck production in May. Preparations for composite integration followed, including the production of foil wells in August. Test bench sessions for the fuel-cell system were conducted in Belfort in March and June.

Core components produced: torpedo, cockpit, motor and low-voltage systems, deck
Fuel-cell system test bench sessions completed in Belfort

2024 Autumn

The production of the REF began with a team of dedicated students building the hull of the new platform during a fifteen-week production marathon over the summer break. In the following months, core platform development continued almost daily on the REF, accompanied by test runs and crew training on the Dahu in October.

15-week production marathon completed REF hull construction

2024 Spring

The range extender (REX) enabled the historic Lausanne–Évian crossing, achieving an autonomy of over 13 km. This event marked the first time a hydrogen–solar powered, zero-emission boat successfully crossed Lake Léman and proved the students ability to handle this new hydrogen technology.

Historic first hydrogen-solar powered crossing of Lake Léman
Over 13 km autonomy achieved with REX system

2023

The first tests using a hydrogen fuel-cell were run in the lab, testing first the security systems and then the power management. They gave valuable information to the team and hands-on experience with this new technology. In parallel the first conceptual designs for a new boat were starting to take shape.

First hydrogen fuel-cell laboratory tests completed
Security systems and power management validated

2022 Summer

After the victory in Monaco, the team decided to aim higher, which led to the adoption of hydrogen technology and the launch of a new boat design project.

Strategic pivot to hydrogen technology and new boat design

2022

The team won first place in the championship race and secured second place in the solar category at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC), all while optimizing the Dahu with a new battery, refined appendices, and upgraded control systems.

1st place championship race, 2nd place solar category at MEBC
Dahu platform optimized with new systems

2021

In its first MEBC competition the Dahu earned second place in the solar category and received the eco‑design award, featuring a Prao configuration with added hydrofoils to significantly reduce high‑speed drag (see the Dahu page for more information).

Dahu's MEBC debut: 2nd place solar category, eco-design award
Revolutionary Prao with hydrofoils design

2020

The Baby Prao scale model was used to develop and validate the structural design and control strategies for the larger Prao concept.

Baby Prao scale model validated design and control strategies

2019

The team participated in the Foiling Week at Lake Garda showcasing the Baby Prao, competed in the final Hydrocontest edition, and achieved a remarkable record: first place in the speed race, first in energy efficiency, second in the endurance race, and third in mass transport.

Final Hydrocontest: 1st speed race, 1st energy efficiency
Participation in Foiling Week at Lake Garda

2018

A radically different prototype, the hovercraft NES, won the innovation award at Hydrocontest, earned second place in personal watercraft. This year also marked the official launch of the Swiss Solar Boat.

NES innovation award at Hydrocontest
Official launch of Swiss Solar Boat

2017

Another victory for SWASH in the mass transport category confirmed the maturation of the project.

SWASH victory in mass transport category

2016

Our second prototype, the Bifoiler, achieved second place in the long‑distance race and received both the design and eco‑design awards.

Bifoiler: 2nd place long-distance race
Design and eco-design awards

2015

The team optimized the SWASH and reached the top of the podium in the mass transport category, earning broad recognition for its efforts

First-place victory in mass transport category

2014

In its first Hydrocontest participation, the team won second place in mass transport with the boat SWASH and reached the semi‑finals in personal watercraft.

Hydrocontest debut: 2nd place mass transport
Semi-finals in personal watercraft category

Ready to embark on this exciting journey with us?

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