Sasol Solar Challenge 2018

4th Quarter 2018 News & events

The Dutch Nuon Solar team has won the 2018 Sasol Solar Challenge, clocking a distance of 4030 kilometres from Pretoria to Stellenbosch. Together, the nine teams competing this year drove 16 249 kilometres, stopping in 18 towns. Kids en route were also treated to virtual reality tours of the inside of a solar car as it travelled through the country, as well as various other science and engineering-based games to stimulate interest.

The Sasol Solar Challenge is held every second year as a testament to the power of science, engineering, maths and technology. On their journey through South Africa, the solar cars become travelling laboratories, demonstrating to the schools that joined them at each stop exactly what practically applying those subjects can achieve. The competition pushes universities, and the major technology companies that sponsor them, to develop new processes and equipment to make the efficiency needed for an eight day road trip possible. “We’ve seen incredible ingenuity from these teams,” said Chris Selwood, president of the International Solar Car Federation.

In the local battle, Tshwane University of Technology’s Sun Chaser 3 finished an impressive 2397 kilometres. NWU’s Phoenix had an entirely unique rotating solar panel, allowing it to follow the sun as it drove through the country. High school team Sonke covered an admirable 660 kilometres with its first ever solar car. Charlotte Mokoena, Sasol’s executive vice president for human resources said: “You created a vehicle of inspiration and hope, and have contributed to the future of South Africa’s energy, aerodynamics, motoring, engineering and education sectors.”

For more information contact Anzet du Plessis, Proof Africa, +27 83 557 2322, [email protected]

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