The race runs from 13–20 October, with pre-race activities starting on 6 October
Here is a further update on the 44 teams (27 Challengers, 14 Cruisers, and 3 Adventure cars) from 21 countries entered in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia this October. Below is my best understanding of the current team status, based on social media reports and the official list of teams. Teams are sorted in team number order. As always, you can click the social media links, and click images to zoom. I have also put together a Twitter list for the event.
This year, signage regulations were interpreted unusually strictly, so that several top teams had to perform major surgery on their vehicle bodies. There have also been a surprising number of pre-race accidents.
The pie chart below (correct as at October 6) summarises the field. The 31 teams with Bridgestone sponsorship are marked with B in the list below. See here for a description of the route.
2 
University of Michigan 
Monohull GaAs challenger (new car: Electrum) – their car name is the name of a gold/silver alloy famous in antiquity. They revealed their car on 19 July (video).
Previously, Michigan came 9th at WSC 13; came 4th at WSC 15; came 2nd at WSC 17; won ASC 14; won ASC 16; came 2nd at ASC 18; and won Abu Dhabi 15. Their team number (2) is a long-standing tradition.
3 
Vattenfall Solar Team (Delft) 
Asymmetric GaAs challenger (new car: Nuna X) – these are the champions formerly known as Nuon. See their 2017 aftermovie. The new car weighs just 135 kg (298 lbs) and has a unique asymmetrical rear (designed to take advantage of October winds coming primarily from the east). The car has clocked up many test kilometres. They revealed their car on 16 July (video). Part of their team was assigned to do a detailed Adelaide-to-Darwin reverse route survey. As always, their main pre-race base was Nightcliff Primary School in Darwin. Their secret weapon this year is a sharkskin surface. A crash during testing caused some minor car damage.
Previously, Vattenfall won WSC 13; won WSC 15; won WSC 17; won SASOL 14; won SASOL 16; and won SASOL 18. Their team number (3) is a long-standing tradition.
4 
Antakari Solar Team
Monohull challenger (new car: Intikallpa V) – they have been working hard getting their car finished. They revealed their car on 13 September (pic). Painted on the side of the car is an Andean condor (Vultur gryphus).
Previously, Antakari participated in the WSC 13 Adventure class and came 10th at WSC 17.
5 
Singapore Polytechnic B
Two-seat cruiser (SunSPEC 6) – their 2019 car is a modified version of their 2017 car SunSPEC 5. They revealed their car on 30 July (pic). Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 60%. They appear to be out of the race, with a serious problem of some kind.
Previously, Singapore came 16th at WSC 13; participated in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; and participated in the WSC 17 Cruiser class.
6 Top Dutch Solar Racing
Monohull single junction GaAs challenger (new team with car: Green Lightning) – their car is a bullet car resembling Michigan’s 2017 Novum. It looks so good that at this stage I’m calling them “best new team.” Their car has four-wheel steering at low speed and two-wheel steering at high speed. There are Dutch media reports about their plans, and they are vlogging weekly (in Dutch, but they have started adding English subtitles). They revealed their car on 12 June (video). The Netherlands 11th Airmobile Brigade provided some final training on dealing with unusual challenges. They ran the fastest lap at Hidden Valley (1:51:99 = 92.3 kph).
7 
Adelaide University B
Asymmetric challenger (Lumen II Mk II) – they have been doing a lot of testing. They also planned new solar cells and a re-wrap for the car.
Previously, Adelaide came 21st at WSC 15 and participated at WSC 17.
8 
Agoria Solar Team (KU Leuven) 
B
Asymmetric GaAs challenger (new car: BluePoint) – they are now sponsored by Agoria. They held a mock race with the old car. Their new car looks very similar. They revealed their car on 3 July (video). Their main pre-race base is Casuarina Senior College in Darwin.
Previously, Agoria came 6th at WSC 13; came 5th at WSC 15; came 3rd at WSC 17; came 3rd at Abu Dhabi 15; came 2nd at iESC 16; and came 6th at iESC 18. Their team number (8) is a long-standing tradition.
9 
Onda Solare B
Four-seat cruiser (Emilia 4 LT) – they won the American Solar Challenge (Cruiser class) last year, and they have written up their design process here, but they have since made substantial improvements to the vehicle, including to the aerodynamics, suspension, battery, and solar panels. There is also an unusual open tail. They shipped their car on the MSC Loretta (as did SER). Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 75%.
Previously, Onda came 10th at WSC 13; won the ASC 18 Cruiser class; came 10th at Abu Dhabi 15; and came 6th at iESC 16. Their team number (9) is taken from the SS 9, the highway through Bologna, which was once the Roman Via Aemilia (hence also the name of their vehicle).
10 
Tokai University B
Monohull challenger (new car: Tokai Challenger) – their new car looks almost identical to the old one, but with optimisations following aerodynamic analysis. They are also using a lithium polymer battery pack instead of lithium-ion, and Sunpower solar cells instead of Panasonic HIT cells this year. They are reporting an unchanged solar cell efficiency of 24.1%, although this seems inconsistent with what Sunpower says. They revealed their car on 3 September.
Previously, Tokai came 2nd at WSC 13; came 3rd at WSC 15; came 4th at WSC 17; came 7th at Abu Dhabi 15; came 2nd at SASOL 16; and came 2nd at SASOL 18.
11 
Bochum University of Applied Sciences B
Two-seat cruiser (thyssenkrupp SunRiser) – Bochum have not built a new WSC car, but have improved their sexy 2-seater SunRiser, which came 3rd in 2015. They also have a solar buggy team. Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 90%. Their thyssenkrupp SunRiser reached Sydney on the ship Al Bahia on 27 August. In Darwin, they are based at Nightcliff Middle School.
Previously, Bochum came 2nd in the WSC 13 Cruiser class; came 3rd in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; came 2nd in the WSC 17 Cruiser class; came 3rd, 4th, and 5th at iESC 16; came 2nd, 3rd, and 5th in the iESC 18 Cruiser class; came 1st and 7th at Albi Eco 18; and came 1st and 2nd at Albi Eco 19.
12 
Cambridge University B
Four-seat cruiser (new car: Helia) – they have had motor problems. They revealed their car on 15 August (pic). Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 60%.
Previously, Cambridge came 22nd at WSC 15 and came 10th at iESC 16.
14 Flinders University B
Two-seat cruiser (Investigator Mk 3) – they were planning to improve aerodynamics, reduce weight, and make some other changes. They have taken an unusual approach to the motor. Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 45%.
Previously, Flinders participated in the WSC 17 Cruiser class.
15 Western Sydney Solar Team B
Monohull GaAs challenger (new car: Unlimited 3.0) – they won the American Solar Challenge last year (with their car Unlimited 2.0), but have built a hot new “bullet car” this year. They revealed their car on 7 August (pic). At 116.8 kg, their car is the lightest in the event.
Previously, WSU came 11th at WSC 13; came 10th at WSC 15; came 6th at WSC 17; and won ASC 18.
Left: Anthony Dekker / Right: Anthony Dekker (click images to zoom)
16 Stanford Solar Car Project B
Monohull challenger (new car: Black Mamba) – they first showed us their shell, which is a unique asymmetric bullet car. They are using glass-free solar panels. They revealed their car on 21 July (pic). Update: sadly, they had a battery fire during the race.
Previously, Stanford came 4th at WSC 13; came 6th at WSC 15; and came 9th at WSC 17.
18 
EcoPhoton (UiTM) B
Asymmetric challenger (new car: Tigris) – they revealed their car on Malaysian television on the morning of 20 August. Update: this team has trailered.
Previously, EcoPhoton came 26th at WSC 15 and participated at WSC 17.
20 Durham University
Asymmetric challenger (new car: Ortus) – they report 24% lower drag and 28% lower weight than their previous car. They revealed their car on 12 August (pic).
Previously, Durham came 27th at WSC 15 and participated at WSC 17.
21 Solar Team Twente
Asymmetric GaAs challenger (new car: RED E) – they are already producing regular vlogs (in Dutch), and have also produced an (English) day-in-the-life blog post. Their design is an incredibly tiny GaAs catamaran with shingled solar cells. They developed a MOOC explaining the design of their 2015 car, and there is an online game of their new car. They revealed their car on 21 June (video). They have, once again, run an excellent simulated race. Their Darwin base is at Charles Darwin University. They are using LiFePO4 batteries, which add 20 kg of weight, but have some advantages.
Previously, Twente came 3rd at WSC 13; came 2nd at WSC 15; came 5th at WSC 17; won iESC 16; and came 1st and 2nd at iESC 18. Their team number (21) is a pun and a wish for success in the race (“Twente-One”).
22 
MDH Solar Team
Classic symmetric challenger (Viking) – this year’s car is an improved version of their 2017 car, with better aerodynamics and electronics. In particular, the two “bites” on the side have been filled in. They revealed their car on 29 June (pic). Update: sadly, they are out of the race.
Previously, MDH participated at WSC 17.
23 Halmstad University Solar Team
Outrigger challenger (new team with car: Heart Three) – their render showed a bullet car, much like Michigan’s 2017 entry, but they have built a car with outriggers (with the associated drag issues). They revealed their car on 11 June (pic).
25 
Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education B
Two-seat cruiser (Sophie 6s) – their car is a modification of Sophie 6 from 2017. They revealed their car on 6 July (pic). Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 60%. They were the first team to pass static scrutineering.
Previously, HK IVE participated in the WSC 13 Adventure class; participated in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; and participated in the WSC 17 Cruiser class.
30 Team Arrow B
Adventure (Arrow1) – because of damage to their Cruiser car during testing, they have transferred to the Adventure class with an older car (which they also raced at iESC 18).
Previously, Arrow came 7th at WSC 13; came 8th at WSC 15; came 3rd in the WSC 17 Cruiser class; came 5th at Abu Dhabi 15; and came 8th at iESC 18. Their team number (30) is the average age of people on the original team.
31 
Solar Energy Racers
Asymmetric challenger (SER-3) – they raced this car in South Africa, but have made some improvements. They revealed the car on 10 July, prior to sending it to Australia by sea (on the MSC Loretta with Onda Solare’s car).
Previously, SER came 5th at WSC 13; came 2nd at ASC 16; came 11th at Abu Dhabi 15; came 3rd at SASOL 18; and came 8th at iESC 16.
35 University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project B
Two-seat cruiser (Eos II) – they are building a new car, but will race an upgraded version of their existing one for BWSC 19 (revealing the upgrade on 19 July). Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 75%. They made a video shortly after arriving in Australia.
Previously, Minnesota came 4th in the WSC 13 Cruiser class; came 5th in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; participated in the WSC 17 Cruiser class; came 2nd at ASC 14; came equal 10th at ASC 16; and came equal 2nd in the ASC 18 Cruiser class. Their team number (35) is derived from the Interstate 35 highway.
37 Goko High School B
Asymmetric challenger (Musoushin) – this high-school team always does very well.
Previously, Goko came 5th in the WSC 13 Cruiser class; came 14th at WSC 15; and participated at WSC 17.
40 Solar Team Eindhoven B
Four-seat cruiser (new car: Stella Era) – their new car has many cool features and a range of 1200 km. They revealed their car on 4 July (video). Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 90%. Tragically, their solar panel was damaged in transit.
Previously, Eindhoven won the WSC 13 Cruiser class; won the WSC 15 Cruiser class; won the WSC 17 Cruiser class; and came 7th in the iESC 18 Cruiser class. Their team number (40) is the Eindhoven telephone area code.
41 Australian National University B
Asymmetric challenger (new car: MTAA Super Charge 2) – their shell was produced by Sydney Composites. They revealed their car on 12 September.
Previously, ANU participated at WSC 17.
42 TAFE SA B
Adventure (SAV) – this time they will tow the trailer that belongs with the car. Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 60%. Update: this team has been moved to Adventure class, and then trailered.
Previously, TAFE SA came 7th in the WSC 13 Cruiser class; participated in the WSC 15 Adventure class; and participated in the WSC 17 Cruiser class.
43 Ardingly College
Adventure (Ardingly Solar Car) – this high-school team came 6th in the iESC Cruiser class, but have upgraded the car since then. Update: this team has been moved to Adventure class, and then trailered.
Previously, Ardingly participated in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; came 6th in the iESC 18 Cruiser class; and participated at Albi Eco 19.
45 
Lodz Solar Team B
Four-seat 60-kWh cruiser (Eagle Two) – they have upgraded and repainted their car, and improved the interior. Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 90%. Update: sadly, they are out of the race.
Previously, Lodz participated in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; participated in the WSC 17 Cruiser class; came 5th at SASOL 16; and won the iESC 18 Cruiser class. Their team number (45) is a tradition since 2015.
46 JU Solar Team
Asymmetric challenger (new car: Axelent) – after showing us a rolling test chassis, a body, and a battery, they revealed their car on 30 August (video). Their car suffered damage in a pre-race accident.
Previously, JU came 20th at WSC 13; came 15th at WSC 15; and came 8th at WSC 17. Their team number (46) is the Swedish national telephone prefix.
47 Nagoya Institute of Technology B
Monohull challenger (new car: Horizon Ace) – their car resembles Tokai’s 2017 vehicle. They revealed their car on 6 July (pic).
Previously, NITech came 16th at WSC 15 and came 12th at WSC 17.
49 
Siam Technical College B
Three-seat 33-kWh cruiser (new car: STC-3) – they have a unique passengers-behind-driver Cruiser design, which they have tested on the highway. They have received extensive local news coverage in Thailand. They revealed their car on 8 August (video). Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 45%. Update: this team has trailered.
Previously, STC came 28th at WSC 15 and participated in the WSC 17 Cruiser class.
51 Chalmers Solar Team B
Outrigger challenger (new team with car: Alfrödull) – their final render resembled the car of the South African NWU team, although the car they built looks slightly different. They showed us a rolling chassis in May. Their shipping date was in July. See their promo video here.
66 Berkeley (CalSol) B
Four-seat 16-kWh cruiser (new car: Tachyon) – they revealed their new car at FSGP. Their average speed at FSGP was 46.3 km/h, compared to 52.8 km/h for Esteban (the leading single-occupant vehicle). This raises some doubts as to whether they can make the WSC on-road target speed of around 75 km/h. Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 60%.
Previously, CalSol came 15th at FSGP 14; came 7th at FSGP 15; came 9th at ASC 16; won FSGP 17; came 6th at ASC 18; and came 2nd in the FSGP 19 Cruiser class.
70 Sonnenwagen Aachen
Monohull GaAs challenger (new car: Covestro Sonnenwagen) – they have a car-racing game app starring their car. They revealed their car on 22 July (video). They did some testing around Coober Pedy.
Previously, Aachen participated at WSC 17 and came 3rd at iESC 18. Their team number (70) is the number they raced with in 2017.
75 University of New South Wales (Sunswift) B
Four-seat 20-kWh cruiser (Violet) – they have been testing their car on the track. Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 75%. They also did some testing at Nyngan in Bogan Shire.
Previously, Sunswift came 3rd in the WSC 13 Cruiser class; came 4th in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; and participated in the WSC 17 Cruiser class.
77 
University of Toronto (Blue Sky) B
Monohull challenger (new car: Viridian) – they have a great-looking bullet car this year. They revealed their car on 24 June (video).
Previously, Blue Sky came 8th at WSC 13; came 12th at WSC 15; came 11th at WSC 17; and came 3rd at ASC 16.
80 
Beijing Institute of Technology B
Four-seat cruiser (new car: Sun Shuttle III). They revealed their car on 1 October. Based on their render and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 45%.
Previously, Beijing came 19th at WSC 13 and came 24th at WSC 15.
82 
Kookmin University Solar Team B
Asymmetric challenger (new car: Man-Se) – they revealed their car on 14 August.
Previously, KUST came 15th at WSC 13; came 20th at WSC 15; and participated at WSC 17. Their team number (82) is the Korean national telephone prefix.
Left: KUST / Right: KUST (click images to zoom)
84 
Dokuz Eylül University (Solaris) B
Asymmetric challenger (new car: S10) – they expect the new car to be 44% more efficient than the 2015 model. They revealed their car on 19 July (pic). Update: this team has trailered.
Previously, Solaris participated in the WSC 13 Adventure class; came 25th at WSC 15; came 9th at iESC 16; came 2nd at Albi Eco 18; and came 2nd at MSRC 19.
88 Kogakuin University B
Monohull GaAs challenger (new car: Eagle) – once again they have a sleek and elegantly unique design. There is a good discussion with interior pics here. They use four-wheel steering to get a sailing effect in cross-winds. They revealed their car on 27 June (video).
Previously, Kogakuin came 14th at WSC 13; came 2nd in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; and came 7th at WSC 17. Their team number (88) is multi-faceted (88 is a lucky number in Japanese kanji; 4 wheels looks like 88; and the team garage is in Hachioji city, with ‘hachi’ meaning ‘eight’).
89 
Estidamah
Asymmetric challenger (new car: Sana) – this was formerly the Seraaj team. They posted a brief teaser video. They revealed their car on 27 September.
92 ETS Quebec (Eclipse) B
Asymmetric challenger (Éclipse X.1) – they came an excellent 3rd in the ASC, 102 minutes behind Western Sydney, and hope to go even faster with the new battery pack in their modified car. Their improvements are summarised in their winter newsletter. They revealed their car on 10 June (pic). They sent their car via the Panama canal.
Previously, Eclipse came 18th at WSC 13; came 10th at ASC 14; came 8th at ASC 16; came 4th at FSGP 17; and came 3rd at ASC 18. Their team number (92) is a temporary choice (in the ASC they race as 101, and will do so again in 2020).
98 ATN Solar Car Team B
Two-seat cruiser (new team with car: Priscilla) – their team is a mixture of lecturers and students from five universities across Australia. They tested a model in a wind tunnel. They revealed their car on 17 September. Based on photographs and the 2017 rating scheme, I would expect their car practicality to score around 45%.
This page last updated 13:39 on 14 October 2019 AEDT.
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