Solar Car World Record

Image credit

In 2020, I blogged about Brunel (then Vattenfall) Solar Team breaking their own world record to clock up 924 km in 12 solar-powered hours on the track, for an average of 77 km/h (see above).

I was busy at the time, but I need to mention that Agoria Solar Team from Belgium broke that record last month in their BluePoint Atlas, clocking up 1,051 km (653 miles) in 12 solar-powered hours on the track, for an average of 87.6 km/h or 54.4 mph (see below). Congratulations, zuiderburen! That’s going to be a tough record to beat.

Image credit

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European Solar Challenge 2022

Here is a list of 17 teams from 11 countries (9 Challenger teams and 8 Cruiser teams) intending to race in the iLumen European Solar Challenge in September this year (with scrutineering beginning on the 15^th). Team numbers are a bit of a guess on my part at this stage, and some of the teams (Aachen, Eindhoven, and Twente) will be fielding two cars. See also the race social media at      

The 24-hour track race will start at 13:00 on the 17^th, with sunset at 19:49 that evening and sunrise at 07:18 the next morning, and with the race continuing until 13:00 on the 18^th. The race will begin with a Le Mans-style start. The track is 4.011 km long. For fans at home interested in the weather, check the forecast. Also, at the top of this page is a webcam nearby, looking west, towards the Zolder racetrack. This webcam is at the track itself (with a view of the “Kleine Chicane,” looking roughly north from just about the centre of the track). Circuit Zolder also has a live timing board and tracker.

6    Top Dutch Solar Racing 

Challenger (Green Lightning) – they raced their new Green Spirit in Morocco, but they will be racing the older Green Lightning here.

Previously, Top Dutch came 4^th at WSC 19; came 3^rd at iESC 20; and came 4^th at SCM 21.

 
Left: Anthony Dekker / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

8    Agoria Solar Team / KU Leuven 

Asymmetric challenger (BluePoint) – they are racing their catamaran here, and their newer BluePoint Atlas in South Africa.

Previously, Agoria came 6^th at WSC 13; came 5^th at WSC 15; came 3^rd at WSC 17; won WSC 19; came 3^rd at Abu Dhabi 15; came 2^nd at SASOL 22; came 2^nd at iESC 16; came 6^th at iESC 18; came 1^st and 6^th at iESC 20; won iESC 21; won Carrera Solar Atacama 18; and came 2^nd at SCM 21. Their team number (8) is a long-standing tradition.

 
Left: Anthony Dekker / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

9    Onda Solare 

Four-seat cruiser (Emilia 4 LT) – they won the American Solar Challenge (Cruiser class) in 2018, 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. Immediately after iESC, they will also be attending the Italian Solar Challenge near Bologna    

Previously, Onda came 10^th at WSC 13; participated in the WSC 19 Cruiser class; won the ASC 18 Cruiser class; came 10^th at Abu Dhabi 15; came 6^th at iESC 16; and won the iESC 21 Cruiser class. 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).

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

11    BoSolarCar Association (BOSolarCar e.V.) 

Two-seat cruiser (thyssenkrupp SunRiser) – BOSolarCar e.V. is an association of Bochum alumni that maintains and races old Bochum cars. Immediately after iESC, they will also be attending the Italian Solar Challenge near Bologna    

Previously, Bochum came 2^nd in the WSC 13 Cruiser class; came 3^rd in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; came 2^nd in the WSC 17 Cruiser class; came 4^th in the WSC 19 Cruiser class; came 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th at iESC 16; came 2^nd, 3^rd, and 5^th in the iESC 18 Cruiser class; came 3^rd and 4^th in the iESC 21 Cruiser class; came 1^st and 7^th at Albi Eco 18; came 1^st and 2^nd at Albi Eco 19; and came 3^rd at Albi Eco 22.

 
Left: SolarLabor / Right: Anthony Dekker (click images to zoom)

17    Kratos EAFIT 

Four-seat cruiser (Kratos II) – the new Kratos II looks very much like the older 2-seater Kratos. The car has been packed for shipping.

Previously, Kratos came 13^th at WSC 13; came 9^th at WSC 15; participated at iESC 16; and came 4^th in the iESC 18 Cruiser class.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

21    Solar Team Twente 

Three-wheel (tadpole) challenger (Red Horizon) – they are also racing their 2019 catamaran RED E (42).

Previously, Twente came 3^rd at WSC 13; came 2^nd at WSC 15; came 5^th at WSC 17; came 17^th at WSC 19; won iESC 16; came 1^st and 2^nd at iESC 18; came 2^nd and 4^th at iESC 20; came 3^rd at iESC 21; and won SCM 21. Their team number (21) is a pun and a wish for success in the race (“Twente-One”).

 
Left: Anthony Dekker / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

23    University of Nottingham Solar Racing Team 

Cruiser (new team) – their rather radical approach is to modify a Renault Twizy to have solar panels, improved electrics, and second life Nissan Leaf batteries. They aim to participate at iESC 2022 with their first car. This team is not racing.

photo: UoN team (click image to zoom)

31    Solar Energy Racers 

Three-wheel (tadpole) challenger (SER-4) – they raced their SER-3 in South Africa and Australia, but they are racing their new SER-4 here.

Previously, SER came 5^th at WSC 13; came 15^th at WSC 19; came 2^nd at ASC 16; came 11^th at Abu Dhabi 15; came 3^rd at SASOL 18; came 8^th at iESC 16; and came 4^th at iESC 21.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

34    Istanbul Technical University (ITU) 

Challenger (Ariba X) – this car replaces their older B.O.W. It has been touring Turkey.

Previously, ITU came 17^th at WSC 13; participated at WSC 17; came 7^th at iESC 16; came 7^th at iESC 20; and came 8^th at iESC 21. Their team number (34) is the vehicle license plate prefix for Istanbul.

 
Left: Anthony Dekker / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

40    Solar Team Eindhoven 

Four-seat cruiser (Stella Era) – their focus for 2021 was a Self-sustaining House On Wheels (Stella Vita). They are racing both it (41) and their previous Stella Era (40) here, although it seems that Stella Vita is not racing competitively.

Previously, Eindhoven won the WSC 13 Cruiser class; won the WSC 15 Cruiser class; won the WSC 17 Cruiser class; won the WSC 19 Cruiser class; came 7^th in the iESC 18 Cruiser class; and came 1^st and 2^nd in the iESC 20 Cruiser class. Their team number (40) is the Eindhoven telephone area code.

 
Left: Anthony Dekker / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

43    Ardingly Ifield Solar 

Two-seat cruiser (The Basking Beastie) – this high-school team came 6^th in the 2018 iESC Cruiser class, and have upgraded the car since then. They also did a UK solar tour, and also attended the British Motor Show.

Previously, Ardingly participated in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; participated in the WSC 19 Adventure class; came 6^th in the iESC 18 Cruiser class; and participated at Albi Eco 19.

 
Left: Anthony Dekker / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

45    Lodz Solar Team 

Four-seat cruiser (Eagle Two) – this car is still going strong.

Previously, Lodz participated in the WSC 15 Cruiser class; participated in the WSC 17 Cruiser class; participated in the WSC 19 Cruiser class; came 5^th at SASOL 16; won the iESC 18 Cruiser class; and came 2^nd in the iESC 21 Cruiser class. Their team number (45) is a tradition since 2015.

 
Left: Anthony Dekker / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

51    Chalmers Solar Team 

Three-wheel (tadpole) challenger (Sköll) – they are racing their elegant bullet car again.

Previously, Chalmers came 21^st at WSC 19; came 5^th at iESC 21; participated at Swedish Solar Race 21; and came 6^th at SCM 21.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

70    Sonnenwagen Aachen 

Three-wheel (outrigger) challenger (Covestro Photon) – they are racing their new car as 7, and their older monohull, Covestro Sonnenwagen as 70. Immediately after iESC, they will also be attending the Italian Solar Challenge near Bologna    

Previously, Aachen participated at WSC 17; came 6^th at WSC 19; came 3^rd at iESC 18; came 5^th and 8^th at iESC 20; came 2^nd and 6^th at iESC 21; and came 5^th at SCM 21. Their team number (70) is the number they raced with in 2017.

 
Left: Anthony Dekker / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

81    Solar Team Solaris (Dokuz Eylül University) 

Challenger (S11) – they have replaced their old catamaran with a bullet car, which they will be racing again. Immediately after iESC, they will also be attending the Italian Solar Challenge near Bologna    

Previously, Solaris participated in the WSC 13 Adventure class; came 25^th at WSC 15; came 18^th at WSC 19; came 9^th at iESC 16; came 7^th at iESC 21; came 2^nd at Albi Eco 18; and came 2^nd at MSRC 19.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

98    Fontys Automotive Solar Team (NovaFAST) 

Two-seat cruiser (new team) – this new team from the Fontys University of Applied Sciences is located in the Eindhoven area, 19 km from Solar Team Eindhoven. They aim to participate at iESC 2022 with their first car, and their roadmap has them participating at WSC in 2025. This team is not racing.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

99    Solis-EV (TU Cluj-Napoca) 

Challenger (Solis) – this is team is from Cluj-Napoca in Romania. Immediately after iESC, they will also be attending the Italian Solar Challenge near Bologna    

Previously, Solis-EV came 9^th at iESC 21.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

This page last updated 14:42 on 18 September 2022 AEST.

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The Michigan Sun Run

Leading US solar car team University of Michigan, rather than competing in races this year, has taken their most recent solar car Aevum on an epic journey across the United States (see images above and below).

In this, they are following in the footsteps of Bochum’s SolarWorld GT which, as part of its round-the-world trip in 2012, clocked up a scenic 6,553 km in just over 50 days, from San Francisco via Dallas to Charleston, SC. They are also, more or less, following the route of the “Cannonball Sun,” which fellow Michigan residents Will Jones, Kyle Samluk, and Danny Ezzo attempted in their Pink Skies in June last year.

Here’s hoping it all goes more smoothly for the Maize and Blue. For more information, see Michigan’s official route page and their social media at  

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Sasol Solar Challenge 2022

Here is a list of 9 teams from 3 countries (8 Challenger teams and 1 Cruiser team) intending to race in the Sasol Solar Challenge in September this year, with scrutineering beginning on the 4^th (Alfaisal Solar Car Team, SunShuttle, and high school team Sonke seem to have dropped off the list). See also the race social media at      

3    Brunel Solar Team (Delft) 

Three-wheel (outrigger) challenger (Nuna11s) – their latest car features an asymmetrical top surface (to create more downforce on the left wheel). As usual, they have modified the car for the South African race, to give an “s” version. This includes building a more powerful motor and returning to having a lithium ion battery (which brings the car down to just 130 kg). The team has already flown out, and can be followed at brunelsolarteam.com/race.

Previously, Delft won WSC 13; won WSC 15; won WSC 17; came 12^th at WSC 19; won SASOL 14; won SASOL 16; won SASOL 18; and came 3^rd at SCM 21. Their team number (3) is a long-standing tradition.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

4    Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 

Challenger (new car: Sun Chaser 4) – they won a preliminary race in Mpumalanga against NWU and Genuine JV. See this website for video explanations of the technologies behind the car.

Previously, TUT came 6^th at SASOL 16; came 4^th at SASOL 18; and won Ilanga Cup 22.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

8    Agoria Solar Team / KU Leuven 

Three-wheel (tadpole) challenger (BluePoint Atlas) – they are racing their record-breaking monohull here, and their older BluePoint in Belgium. Their car has a unique fin to take advantage of cross-winds. They are already in South Africa. During the race, they can be tracked at live.solarteam.be.

Previously, Agoria came 6^th at WSC 13; came 5^th at WSC 15; came 3^rd at WSC 17; won WSC 19; came 3^rd at Abu Dhabi 15; came 2^nd at iESC 16; came 6^th at iESC 18; came 1^st and 6^th at iESC 20; won iESC 21; won Carrera Solar Atacama 18; and came 2^nd at SCM 21. Their team number (8) is a long-standing tradition.

 
Left: Anthony Dekker / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

10    North West University 

Challenger (Naledi 2.0) – they are looking to reclaim the “best South African team” title, which they lost to TUT in 2018, by heavily modifying their original Naledi. So far the car looks good.

Previously, NWU came 11^th at WSC 15; participated at WSC 17; came 4^th at SASOL 14; came 4^th at SASOL 16; came 5^th at SASOL 18; and came 2^nd at Ilanga Cup 22.

 
Left: credit / Right: credit (click images to zoom)

22    Central University of Technology (Seilatsatsi) 

Challenger (new car: Ntsu) – they have built a new car. Some of its components have been 3D-printed. Their car name is the Sesotho word for an eagle.

Previously, Seilatsatsi came 7^th at SASOL 18.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

60    Genuine JV Solar Car Team  

Asymmetric challenger (new team with car: Voltwagen) – this is a new team, from Hoër Tegnologiese Skool John Vorster in Pretoria. Their car is the old car from Tshwane University of Technology, with improvements. Read about them in Afrikaans here.

Previously, JV came 3^rd at Ilanga Cup 22.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

  University of the Free State 

Challenger (new team with car: Lengau) – this team is led by the Departments of Physics and Engineering Sciences at UFS. Their car name is the Sesotho word for a cheetah.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

  SolarFlair

Challenger (new team with car: SolarFlair SP 400) – this team is from Mbombela in Mpumalanga province. They were a no-show in the Ilanga Cup.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

  UniChamps Solar Car Team (University of South Africa)

Cruiser (new team with car: UniSolar) – they say “The car design was inspired by both the Lamborghini Countach LP500 and DeLorean DMC.” They were a no-show in the Ilanga Cup.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

This page last updated 13:42 on 11 September 2022 AEST.

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Some thoughts on Roe

The hot topic at the moment is the recent “repeal” of Roe v. Wade by the US Supreme Court. This topic involves not only legal, but also moral, social, and scientific issues. This blog being a science blog, it’s appropriate to comment on the scientific issues here, and to that end I have produced the chart of human prenatal development above. Horizontal bars show fetal size on a logarithmic scale, and the two images are from Wikimedia and from USAID. Confusingly, two time scales are in regular use for prenatal development, one starting at the last menstrual period, and the other at fertilisation (around 2 weeks later). The chart shows both.

Roe v. Wade had, in fact, largely been overturned by Planned Parenthood v. Casey in 1992. The majority of people in the US (around 63%) believe that abortion should be legal in some cases but illegal in others (although views vary widely between demographic groups and from state to state). Roe v. Wade claimed a constitutional right to an abortion based on a constitutional right to privacy, and attempted to draw a cutoff for abortion legality based on the trimester of pregnancy:

1. “For the stage prior to approximately the end of the first trimester, the abortion decision and its effectuation must be left to the medical judgment of the pregnant woman’s attending physician.
2. “For the stage subsequent to approximately the end of the first trimester, the State, in promoting its interest in the health of the mother, may, if it chooses, regulate the abortion procedure in ways that are reasonably related to maternal health.
3. “For the stage subsequent to viability the State, in promoting its interest in the potentiality of human life, may, if it chooses, regulate, and even proscribe, abortion except where necessary, in appropriate medical judgment, for the preservation of the life or health of the mother.”

Planned Parenthood v. Casey rejected both of these ideas, grounding a right to abortion instead in the due process clause of the 14^th Amendment (“nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law”), and drawing a new legal line solely based on viability (the age at which the unborn baby can survive outside the womb) rather than on “Roe’s rigid trimester framework.”

The Supreme Court of the United States: the Roberts Court

Viability has some appeal as a guideline, since many people consider it problematic to kill an unborn baby which could be delivered by caesarean and then cared for successfully in the neonatal intensive care unit down the hall. However, as the recent judgement by the Roberts Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization notes, viability “is heavily dependent on factors – such as medical advances and the availability of quality medical care – that have nothing to do with the characteristics of a fetus.” In fact, the viability threshold has been dropping at around a week per decade, sitting now at around 22 or 23 weeks (see the chart). Dobbs also took issue with the constitutional aspects of the decision in Casey, overturning it (and what was left of Roe), so that “the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.” Some of “the people” have been very happy about this, while others have protested.

Another scientific (or rather, technological) issue relevant to the decision in Dobbs has been the widespread use of obstetric ultrasonography in the United States. Janelle Taylor notes that “the obstetrical exam has come to incorporate rituals of showing and telling and giving out pictures” (we have all seen them on Facebook). Such images have greatly influenced how the fetus is viewed by the population at large. Unsurprisingly, such images have also lent support to pro-life campaigners, since they give a very clear face to the unborn. This article in The Atlantic notes that “in recent years, pro-life activists have been more successful in using that tool [scientific evidence] to shift the terms of the policy debate.”

More complex has been the debate on whether the unborn human can feel pain. Even in adults, pain is complex, with two separate human pain systems, one more precisely localised, and the other more affective (it “hurts” more). No real scientific consensus currently exists on when a fetus can feel pain (indeed, how could you really prove a hypothesis here?). Various stages are reported in the literature, some as early as 14 weeks, and this literature has been heavily cited as part of the ethical debate on abortion. Other writers have, rather disturbingly, suggested that only adult human beings can truly feel pain. The debate in the US and elsewhere is ongoing.

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High School Solar Car Challenge 2022 Results

I have been following the (High School) Solar Car Challenge this year, mostly on my Twitter and Instagram accounts. The chart above shows the final lap counts for the event.

In the chart, stars mark teams that were on the podium last race (and these are also the teams that dominated this year). Black numbers show the number of laps for the race (official totals), and white numbers the laps each day (based on preliminary and unofficial results). Teams were also credited with between 15 and 20 laps for their video presentations (submitted before the race).

All of these high school teams can be deservedly proud of a job well done, but none more so then RAHS Green Energy Team (winner of the Advanced Division), who on day 3 had already beaten the race record of 659 laps which they set in 2019, and who finished with a very impressive total of 876 laps (1,314 miles)!

Iron Lions, in another attractive catamaran, came second, with 644 laps. Other division winners were:

• Advanced Classic Division: Covenant Christian Academy, with 467 laps
• Classic Division: Holy Solars (from Kent, CT, and new to the Classic Division last year), with 325 laps
• Electric-Solar Powered Division: The Heroes’ Alliance Vehicle Technology Team (from Detroit, MI), with 308 laps

Note: these numbers, and the chart above, have been edited to reflect changes to the official website.

The photograph below shows all teams (the 39 MB original image is here). For other information, see the official website.

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Results of the ASC 2022 Road Race

Wrapping up the American Solar Challenge, the chart above shows the final official distances. The chart places optional “loops” driven at the end of each stage, even mid-stage loops. At the bottom of each bar is the final placing, with a star marking MOV (Cruiser) cars. The notation “(Tr)” identifies cars that trailered or were deemed to have trailered.

Below is a logarithmic visualisation of the MOV (Cruiser) scoring. The final score (last bar in each group) is the product (visually, the sum, since the chart uses logarithms) of seven factors:

• The distance driven d (in miles)
• The distance driven with penalties d’ (in miles)
• The average number of people p in the car
• The reciprocal of the total external energy usage E (in kWh)
• The practicality score P (out of 100)
• The speed derating T (1/70.86 = 0.014 for AppState)
• In grey, the reciprocal h of 171,780 (the longest distance driven, times 100)

This is equivalent to the way that the scores are broken down officially (since C = d’/1717.8 and D = d×p).

The final score for AppState is 1/4.2 = 0.24, as in the official results. Esteban (Poly Montreal) achieved the highest score through low total external energy usage, but was demoted to third place after missing a turnoff early in the race, which prompted this retrospective modification to regulation 12.11.C:

“Any team leaving the tour route must rejoin the route at the same intersection where they left the route or they will be considered to have trailered from their last completed route step before going off route. Their Load On Trailer Time will be the time that they went off route.”

PrISUm (Iowa State University) was forced to withdraw early on due to electrical issues, so scores 4^th in the MOV (Cruiser) class.

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Challenges in the ASC 2022 Road Race

True to the name, there have been some challenges in the American Solar Challenge now taking place. On the first stage, Esteban (Poly Montreal) missed a turnoff, prompting this modification to regulation 12.11.C:

“Any team leaving the tour route must rejoin the route at the same intersection where they left the route or they will be considered to have trailered from their last completed route step before going off route. Their Load On Trailer Time will be the time that they went off route.”

PrISUm (Iowa State University) was forced to withdraw early on due to electrical issues

“Unfortunately things did no go as planned for PrISUm. Due to safety concerns for both the car and our team, we did not want to drive the car any farther. It is unfortunate that there was an electrical issue, which is hard to quickly and safely fix on race. We are very proud of our team performance at FSGP, compared to the last couple of years. Thank you to everyone for all of your support and following us throughout our journey.”

Canadian team Éclipse (ÉTS) had a major crisis on stage 2:

“On our 2nd loop in the city of Casper, our topshell detached from the vehicle; no injuries. The damage from this incident to the vehicle is not minor, but we worked very hard to get it back on the road! Thank you to all who helped!

Solar panels replaced, topshell corner redone in carbon fiber wet layup, tightened security attachments, lights picked up, stronger canopy, MPPTs repaired and even two flat tires all under 24h our convoy made it to time at stagepoint #2 in Lander, Wyoming just minutes from closing! The vehicle is in shape, today we are driving to Montpellier, Idaho.”

Illini (University of Illinois) had a narrow miss on the same stage:

“Today on our way to Lander, the team and Brizo faced a very near collision. As the convoy was waiting to turn left along the route, a semi lost control and tried to swerve around a pickup in front. The semi crashed a few feet from Brizo and the pickup truck landed mere inches from our chase car. Thankfully the entire team and Brizo were unharmed. However due to lost time, we had to trailer part of the second stage. Tonight we arrived in Lander and are ready for the rest of the American Solar Challenge.”

Official times for the first two stages are summarised in the chart below. The chart places optional “loops” driven at the end of each stage, even mid-stage loops. MIT leads the SOV/Challenger class, followed by Principia and Kentucky. The MOV/Cruiser scoring system is more complex, and only distances are shown here. However, Minnesota does appear to be ahead.

Latest news had most solar cars arriving at the Montpelier, Idaho checkpoint (including AppState and, I believe, Berkeley):

Follow the remainder of the race with the ASC car tracker (or just the dashboard). You can also check out the official ASC social media at        (click on the icons).

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High School Solar Car Challenge 2022 Teams

Here are the 22 high school teams (in four divisions) who will be racing at the Texas Motor Speedway in the Solar Car Challenge this year (due to software problems, past history is only listed for some teams). Scrutineering is now in progress, and racing begins on July 17 (Sunday). The race can be followed via the event’s YouTube channel, or check out    and    (click on the icons). Best of luck to all the teams!

Classic Division

For these more basic cars, no hub motors may be used, and solar modules must be have a rated efficiency of 20% or below. Batteries must be lead-acid. Cars in this division typically weigh around 450 kg.

The Solar Schell from Kent School, Kent, CT is an example of a car in the Classic Division (image credit)

• Ballard Bombers from Ballard Memorial High School, Barlow, KY racing Flying Fortress. The car weighs 400 kg, with 16.5% efficiency panels.
• Blazin’ Bulldogs from The Delta School, Wilson, AR racing Solar Roller. The car weighs 360 kg, with 19% efficiency panels.
• Harmony Tigers from Harmony School of Innovation Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX racing The Jeoff. The car weighs 203 kg, with 15% efficiency panels.
• Holy Solars from Kent School, Kent, CT racing The Solar Schell, which also raced in 2021, winning the division. The car weighs 318 kg, with 17.9% efficiency panels.
• KCAL Solar Crusaders      from Keller Center for Advanced Learning, Keller, TX racing Rex Machina. The car weighs 363 kg, with 19.7% efficiency panels.
• Pirate Ingenuity from Brazoswood High School, Clute, TX racing Oscar. The car weighs 321 kg, with 19.6% efficiency panels.
• Solar Tigers from Harmony Science Academy Dallas, Dallas, TX racing NHAN. The car weighs 160 kg, making this the lightest car this year, with 15% efficiency panels.

Advanced Classic Division

This division is like the Classic Division, but is for schools that have participated in the event three or more times before. Cars in this division typically weigh around 350 kg.

Cougar Spirit from Covenant Christian Academy, Colleyville, TX is an example of a car in the Advanced Classic Division (image credit)

• Covenant Christian Academy    from Covenant Christian Academy, Colleyville, TX racing Cougar Spirit, which also raced in 2019 and 2021 (one of two cars from this school). The car weighs 310 kg, with 20% efficiency panels.
• Los Diableros from Presidio High School, Presidio, TX racing El Diablo Azul. The car weighs 272 kg, with 19.9% efficiency panels.
• Solar Falcon Race Team from Palmdale High School, Palmdale, CA racing Helios Falcon, which also raced in 2019, coming 4^th in the division (one of two cars from this school). The car weighs 365 kg, with 18.7% efficiency panels.
• Stony Point Solar from Stony Point High School, Round Rock, TX racing Dante IV. The car weighs 350 kg, with 18.4% efficiency panels.
• Winston Solar from The Winston School of Dallas, Dallas, TX racing Sol 3, which also raced in 2019, coming 6^th in the division. The car weighs 317 kg, with 18.5% efficiency panels.
• Wylie East Solar Car Team      from Wylie East High School, Wylie, TX racing East Beast-Xtreme. The car weighs 226 kg, with 17.2% efficiency panels.

Advanced Division

This division is for more sophisticated cars. According to the regulations, teams may use a hub motor, solar cells with a rated efficiency above 20%, prefabricated solar car molds, and other battery types. The list price for all bare solar cells must be less than $10/watt; teams may pay extra for cutting, tabbing, or lamination of cells. If teams use prefabricated solar car molds, the body constructed from those molds must be made by the team (i.e. the mold can be donated by a university team, but not the entire body). Batteries may be of any chemistry type.

Cars in this division typically weigh around 250 kg, which is roughly the same as cars built by university students for the American Solar Challenge.

High Energy #6 from Staten Island Tech HS, Staten Island, NY is an example of a car in the Advanced Division (image credit)

• Covenant Christian Academy    from Covenant Christian Academy, Colleyville, TX racing Cougar Pride, which also raced in 2019 and 2021 (one of two cars from this school). The car weighs 220 kg, with 22.2% efficiency panels.
• RAHS Green Energy Team      from Raisbeck Aviation High School, Tukwila, WA racing Jimmy. The car weighs 227 kg, with 24% efficiency panels.
• Iron Lions      from Greenville High School, Greenville, TX racing Invictus, which also raced in 2021, coming 3^rd in the division (an attractive catamaran). The car weighs 215 kg, with 24.7% efficiency panels.
• Oregon Solar Car Team      from Bend Area Schools, Bend, OR racing Lumidos, which also raced in 2021 (an attractive symmetric four-wheeler). The car weighs 226 kg, with 24.3% efficiency panels.
• Plano Green Team from STEAM Engine, Plano, TX racing Mark 2, which also raced in 2021, coming 6^th in the division. The car weighs 320 kg, with 17.5% efficiency panels.
• Staten Island Solar Car    from Staten Island Tech HS, Staten Island, NY racing High Energy #6. The car weighs 227 kg, with 23% efficiency panels.

Electric-Solar Powered Division

This unique division is for two-seater electric vehicles powered by a stationary solar battery-charging station (i.e. the solar panels are not on the cars). The solar array on the battery-charging station must be no larger than 5 meters by 1.8 meters, with solar cells at most 19% efficiency. Cars in this division also typically weigh around 250 kg.

The Blurr from Heroes’ Alliance, Detroit, MI is an example of a car in the Electric-Solar Powered Division (image credit)

• Heroes’ Alliance Vehicle Technology Team from Heroes’ Alliance, Detroit, MI racing The Blurr, which also raced in 2021, coming 3^rd in the division. The car weighs 250 kg.
• Solar Falcon Race Team from Palmdale High School, Palmdale, CA racing Electric Falcon, which also raced in 2019, coming 5^th in the division (one of two cars from this school). The car weighs 250 kg.
• Solar Jumpers from Somerset High School, Somerset, KY racing Dutchess. The car weighs 350 kg.

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High School Solar Car Challenge 2022

I have been persuaded (again) to cover the (High School) Solar Car Challenge this year, as well as the university teams now racing. Solar car racing is even more impressive when the teams are from high schools!

The charts above and below summarise past SCC track events, excluding the recently established CRUISER division. Notice that the more experienced CLASSIC teams have been separated out into their own division.

For this year, check out    and    (click on the icons). Best of luck to all the teams!

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