Sasol Solar Challenge

Here is a list of the 12 teams originally registered for the SASOL Solar Challenge in South Africa. This event has now been cancelled due to Covid-19. Check out the official social media at:        (click on the icons).

  Alfaisal Solar Car Team 

Classic symmetric challenger (Areej 1) – they originally registered for ASC 2018 and WSC 2019, but withdrew from those events. Their car name is a pun: AREG/Areej is an acronym for Alfaisal Renewable Energy Group but also means “the scent of a flowery garden” in Arabic. Their car appears complete.

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

  Beijing Institute of Technology 

Four-seat cruiser (Sun Shuttle IV) – this team did well last WSC. They are rebuilding the Sun Shuttle III from that race.

Previously, Beijing came 19^th at WSC 13; came 24^th at WSC 15; and came 6^th in the WSC 19 Cruiser class.

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

  Eolian AutoSolar 

Cruiser (new car: Auriga ) – this team is new to the South African race, I believe. They had hoped to attend WSC 19 (after coming 14^th in 2007) but were unable to do so. Given the limited time remaining, I’m not sure that they can make the race.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

  Mines Rabat Solar Team 

Asymmetric challenger (new car: Eleadora 2) – they have worked hard to complete this car (see this video).

Previously, Mines Rabat participated at MSRC 19.

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

  Tokai University 

Monohull challenger (Tokai Challenger) – they are hoping to attend both the South African event and the WSC.

Previously, Tokai came 2^nd at WSC 13; came 3^rd at WSC 15; came 4^th at WSC 17; came 2^nd at WSC 19; came 7^th at Abu Dhabi 15; came 2^nd at SASOL 16; and came 2^nd at SASOL 18.

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

  Cape Peninsula University of Technology 

Monohull challenger (new car: Solar Flyer II) – they appear to be building a new car.

Previously, CPUT came 8^th at SASOL 18.

picture credit (click image to zoom – OLD PIC)

  Central University of Technology (Seilatsatsi) 

Challenger (new car: Ntsu) – they appear to be buidling a new car. The motor, battery, and panels have apparently been outsourced.

Previously, Seilatsatsi  came 7^th at SASOL 18.

picture credit (click image to zoom – OLD PIC)

  HTS John Vorster Sonkarprojek 

Asymmetric challenger (new team with car: Volt Wagen) – 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.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

  North West University 

Challenger (Naledi II) – 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; and came 5^th at SASOL 18.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

  SolarFlair

Challenger (new team with car: SolarFlair SP 400) – this team is from Mbombela in Mpumalanga province.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

  Sonke

Challenger (Siyakude II) – this high-school team is returning with a rebuilt car.

Previously, Sonke came 6^th at SASOL 18.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

  Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 

Challenger (new car: Sun Chaser 4) – they hope to make their new car 25% more aerodynamic and 20 kg lighter than Sun Chaser 3. They discuss their 2018 race optimisation approach in this paper.

Previously, TUT came 6^th at SASOL 16 and came 4^th at SASOL 18.

picture credit (click image to zoom)

This page last updated 20:41 on 26 January 2021 AEDT.

---