Sasol Solar Challenge in September 2012

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Solar energy is something yet to be fully integrated into the cars of the future, but the technology is here and it certainly is possible. The Sasol Solar Challenge will take place in South Africa on 18 September 2012, with Sasol being the title sponsor. This year’s challenge will see solar-powered cars take to South African roads in a race with the sun.  

This will be the third time that the FIA approved bi-annual challenge will be held in South Africa, with an emphasis of raising awareness and raising the profile of the event. Schools, universities and industry are encouraged to get involved to showcase the power of solar energy.

There are four classes for this year’s challenge, with some of them stipulated by the FIA but others are meant to encourage schools and industry to participate without the need of a massive budget. The categories are as follows:

Olympia Class

-          FIA regulated. This the primary class in the Sasol Solar Challenge, representing more road capable vehicles,

-          Four wheelers only,

-          Solar array with maximum 6 m²                      

-          Lights required,

-          Reverse gear required.

Challenge Class

-          Primary Class in World Solar Challenge (Australia),

-          Maximum solar array of 6 m² ,

-          Three wheels allowed,

-          Not as strict with braking and electrical wiring as in Olympia Class.

Adventure Class

-          For teams that are not interested in competitive racing,

-          Maximum solar array of 8 m² to compensate for heavier, less aerodynamic vehicles.

Technology Class

-          Any technology vehicle including production cars, solar hybrids, electric, fuel cells and low emission vehicles,

-          Purely for demonstration purposes, no racing,

-          Eco Class to demonstrate the technology that is currently available.

The solar cars will travel a total distance of 5000km around South Africa. The race will start and end in Pretoria, visiting major cities such as Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Durban. Each day will represent a separate stage in the race.

The solar cars will combine most of the engineering disciplines including,

-          Chassis, steering, braking, suspension,

-          Body including solar array,

-          Powertrain including electric drive, batteries, controllers etc.

The goal is to build the most efficient vehicle possible. All vehicles will use the sun as their main source of energy, but the most efficient vehicle will be able to cover the distances with a higher average speed. Battery capacity is limited to 5kW/hr.

For safety reasons, each solar vehicle will have a lead and chase car with radio contact. The chase car will monitor the battery conditions, charging rates, vehicle speed etc in real time. Competitors are required to take the topography of the land into account while designing their cars and may want to take regenerative braking into account. This is where teams need to get creative to combat uphill sections.

The cars will be allowed to start with a full battery in the first stage, after which the sun becomes the primary energy source. The solar car finishing the stage will be declared the winner. Its time to get those thinking caps on and don’t forget to visit www.solarchallenge.org.za  for more information. Good Luck.