2015

In 2015 the North-West University made history by becoming the first ever African solar team to complete the grueling journey from Darwin to Adelaide in the Australian Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. The NWU managed to travel the total distance of 3000km within 6 days. After starting in 31st position on the first day, the NWU finished in 11th place in the world and in 1st place of the African teams.

 

Race Info

Weight of car: 196 kg

Solar panel area: 6 m2

Distance travelled: 3020 km

Time travelled:  47 hours and 22 minutes on the road

Average speed:  71.7 km/h

Duration of race: 7 days

Date:  18 October – 25 October

Route:  Darwin to Adelaide (Australia)

Awards:  

  • 11th position in class
  • Overall 1st place of African teams

 

 

Team Members

Prof. Albert Helberg

Arno de Beer

Armand Fourie

Raynard du Preez

Ryno du Preez

Christoff Briers

Francois “Waks” van Tonder

Estienne Janse van Rensburg

Karlé Bell

Maryke Laas

Corneels Schabort

Olympia Class Results (Four wheels)

 

Team

Position

Time

(hours, minutes)

Distance

(kilometres)

Average speed

(km/h)

Nuon Solar Team, The Netherlands

1

37:56

3020

91.75

Solar Team Twente, The Netherlands

2

38:04

3020

91.63

Tokai University, Japan

3

38:50

3020

89.41

University of Michigan, USA

4

38:54

3020

89.28

Punch Powertrain, Belgium

5

39:19

3020

88.10

Stanford Solar Car Project, USA

6

41:23

3020

83.14

GAMF, Hungary

7

43:04

3020

79.70

Clean Energy Team Arrow, Australia

8

45:22

3020

76.71

EAFIT-EPM Solar Car Team, Columbia

9

46:19

3020

73.29

Western Sydney University, Australia

10

46:51

3020

72.21

North-West University, South Africa

11

47:22

3020

71.70