South African Solar Challenge

The Sasol Solar Challenge is a South African endurance challenge for solar-powered vehicles, with classes for hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and biofuel-powered vehicles as well. Recognised by the International Solarcar Federation, the first challenge was run in 2008, and every two years thereafter. The event covers roughly 2,500 km, but has set loops for teams to repeat, with the potential to do 5,000 km. The current record, held by Dutch team Nuon, is 4,716 km, set in 2016 in their car Nuna. The challenge route may change from year to year. In 2022, it ran from Carnival City near Johannesburg to Cape Town over the course of 8 days. The challenge has both local South African teams from both high schools and universities participate, as well as some top-ranking international teams from Japan (Tokai), Belgium (Innoptus Solar Team previously known as Agoria) and the Netherlands (Brunel Solar Team previously known as Vattenfall/Nuon).

Route Map of "Sasol Solar Challenge 2010"
Tokai University's solar car "Tokai Challenger" running in front of the Table Mountain in Cape Town. It became a winner of "South African Solar Challenge 2010" again.
CAUTION-IMPALA! (3rd day of SASC 2008)

South African Solar Challenge
VenuePublic roads
LocationSouth Africa
Corporate sponsorSasol
First race2008
Last race2022
Distance~2500km
Most wins (team)Nuna

Objective

The primary objective is to design, manage, build and race solar-powered vehicles across South Africa. The challenge sees a collaboration between pupils, students, private individuals and various industry and government partners, to work together to have a safe, technology-rich event. Moreover, the challenge is seen as an educational tool to focus on and communicate about science and technology to the broad public.

Results

2022 edition

The Dutch Brunel Solar Team finished first, the Belgian Innoptus Solar Team which participated for the first time became second with 38km difference and bronze went to Sunchaser, from South African university TUT.

Winners[1]
Year Team Country
2008 Tokai University Japan
2010 Tokai University Japan
2012 Tokai University Japan
2014 Delft University Netherlands
2016 Delft University Netherlands
2018 Delft University Netherlands
2022 Delft University Netherlands
  • Tokai University's solar car "Tokai Falcon". The winner of "South African Solar Challenge 2008".
    Tokai University's solar car "Tokai Falcon". The winner of "South African Solar Challenge 2008".
  • Sunna car in the Karoo National Park
    Sunna car in the Karoo National Park
  • WSS-1 (Wits Super Solar 1), the first generation Wits University entry
    WSS-1 (Wits Super Solar 1), the first generation Wits University entry

See also

References
  1. "Past Winners | Sasol | Solar Challenge Past winners for the Solar Challenge". www.solarchallenge.org.za. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
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