The newly constructed CUT Solar Car ‘Pere ea Letsatsi’ meaning magic of horsepower from the sun was CAD designed, engineered and built by our Engineers at CUT labs. The carbon-fibre vehicle is fitted with the state-of-the-art technology for tracking power including the cruise control feature.
The race is scheduled to take place from 22-30 September 2018 across South Africa to test the durability and endurance of the cars built. Teams are set to cover the most distance on the set route each day and additional loops can be added should the teams have more power left in their solar cars. The race relies entirely on good engineering, great drivers and team managers that can manage energy as well as work accordingly with the weather conditions. The record to break using solar power is 4,500 km.
At the launch Professor Alfred Ngowi, deputy vice-chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement says “Dr Nicolaas Luwes, our team leader and senior lecturer in Engineering as well as his 21-member team has of course been instrumental in making this project a success. His perseverance and inspiration have motivated his team and all of us here at CUT and, is a reason to celebrate our technological advances in this special way”. He added that the solar car was just the beginning, as CUT continues on a journey of technological innovations.
The eight-stage route will commence in Pretoria on 22 September 2018, and head to Sasolburg where there will be optional loops that can be used to get as many kilometres as possible before ending the day’s race in Kroonstad before 5pm. The team that gets the most distance per day wins.
The final stage of the Sasol Solar Car Challenge 2018 awards function will be held at Grand West Casino in Cape Town.
Some of the world’s top teams attending this year’s event include the current world champions, Nuon from Delft University in the Netherlands and the former world champions, Tokai University from Japan.
The new kids on the block this year are teams from City University of Hong Kong from China, Manipal University from India, and the Solar Energy Racers from Switzerland.
The home teams include the Tshwane University of Technology, North-West University, and newcomers Seilatsatsi from the Central University of Technology, and Sonke – a combined team from St Alban’s College and St Augustine’s LEAP School. South Africa is among the few countries where high school teams are permitted to compete alongside university students.
For more, go to www.solarchallenge.org.za
