History

Team Sunergy began in Fall 2013 as a class project to build a solar-powered golf cart designed for race competition. Students quickly learned their goal was not just hypothetical.

Rather, they learned technology supports solar-powered transportation and that a group of passionate individuals can overcome any obstacles.

Over the next three years, team members researched competitions and the equipment needed to compete. They wrote grant proposals. They recruited peers from across Appalachian’s majors to create a well-functioning, interdisciplinary team.

A donated shell from Iowa State University led to the team’s first competition-ready solar car, Apperion. The team competed in the 2016’s Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge, placing third and sixth respectively. A second-place finish in 2017’s Formula Sun Grand Prix followed. In 2018, Team Sunergy built ROSE, a two-seat cruiser class car who was the first solar car completely designed and built by students at Appalachian State. The team was able to finish her in time for the Formula Sun Grand Prix and placed third, followed by a second place finish at the American Solar Challenge. Now, the team has their sights set on their biggest journey yet: The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a race across the Australian Outback.

Sun, energy, plus synergy = Team Sunergy

Dan Blakeley

“That explains us perfectly, because we have multiple majors from all over campus working towards one common goal.” – Dan Blakeley, Team Sunergy Founder

Fall 2020

Fall 2019

SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo

Spring 2019

SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo

Fall 2018

SVT team photo
SVT team photo

Summer 2018

SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo

Spring 2018

SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo

Fall 2017

SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo

Summer 2017

SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo

Fall 2016-Spring 17

SVT team photo
SVT team photo

Summer 2016

SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo


Fall 2015- Spring 2016

Summer 2015

SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo
SVT team photo


Spring 2015

SVT team photo
SVT team photo

Fall 2014

Summer 2014

Spring 2014

Fall 2013

SVT team photo
SVT team photo