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 |
