LRE Welcomes University of Michigan Solar Car Team

The University of Michigan (U-M) Solar Car Team recently visited the Ridgely Solar project in Tennessee, and LRE's Dallas headquarters as part of its nationwide Solar Trek tour.

LRE is a Silver sponsor of 'Millenium,' the Michigan solar-powered car designed, engineered and built by a Solar Car Team of more than 150 undergraduates and postgraduates. The two stops were part of a national tour of the car and students called the Solar Trek, a driving tour to visit sponsor locations as well as high schoool and university solar car teams. The Solar Trek is a 2,800-mile trip from Troy, Michigan to Los Angeles with a mission of promoting sustainability, renewable energy education and hands-on engineering outreach.

LRE began a multi-year sponsorship of the U-M Solar Car Team in 2023.

"A big part of this tour was to thank sponsors like LRE for their support," noted Julia Glasco, Team Manager for the U-M solar car team. "We couldn't do this without them. It's awesome to have a solar company like LRE as a sponsor. It's a great match."

The U-M's solar car team has won 10 national championships in the 1,500-mile American Solar Challenge Race. The team also races every other year in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, an international solar car race across 1,500 miles of the Australian Outback. In 2025, the U-M solar team was the top U.S. finisher, placing seventh overall in the World Solar Challenge race.

"It was exciting for the U-M team to stop at Ridgley," said Solar Plant Manager Matt Turner. "The team members are incredibly bright. I was impressed. It made me proud of LRE to support a team that represents the next generation of renewable energy leaders."

The visit to Ridgely Solar also brought attention to Lake County, Tennessee where Ridgely Solar is located. Mayor Danny Cook, who attended the U-M stop at Ridgely Solar, noted that it was a positive experience for the county.

"It's something for us to be proud of," he said. "Ridgely Solar is such an asset to Lake County and having this team of bright, focused students visit here is inspiring. It reminds us that there are young people helping build a brighter future."

"As a University of Michigan alum myself, it was a special honor to host such a bright and esteemed group of students at our headquarters, added Patrick Nolan, LRE Sr. Director of Development, who, along with Sr. HR Manager Brighton Charles. Has served as LRE's primary point of contact for the UM Solar Team.

"The UM Solar Team's ambition and tenacity as problem solvers is impressive," he added. "And their future is bright. LRE is a very proud sponsor of this amazing team."