Cape Fear Community College’s mechanical engineering technology program was recently awarded a grant from an energy company, according to a news release.
 
The Constellation E2 Energy to Educate grant program recently contributed nearly $17,500 to support the mechanical engineering technology program's Cape Fear Solar Car Challenge project, officials said.
 
Constellation, an Exelon company, and its grant program have provided more than $3.5 million in funding for student projects focusing on energy science, technology and education, officials said in the release.
 
Students within the CFCC program have spent the past semester researching and designing the solar cars, officials said. Students will begin building in the spring semester in preparation for a three-hour endurance race May 5. 

“Students are excited about designing the cars from the ground up and picking the parts. From the braking system to the number of wheels, it is going to be a team effort and collaborative project,” said Daniel Hendrickson, CFCC's mechanical engineering technology program director, said in the release. “At the end of this project, students will have a greater understanding of energy-related science. The cars may even be upgraded in the future and used in other programs at CFCC.”

CFCC's welding and graphic design programs will help in the building process, officials said.
 
The cars are anticipated to reach up to 20-25 mph and will each cost between $3,000 to $6,000 depending on the equipment selected, according to the release. The cars are expected to be driven at the N.C. Azalea Festival.