After eight days of action-packed endurance challenge, driving from Johannesburg, the Sasol Solar Challenge will officially finish at the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront, Cape Town.
The community of Cape Town and surroundings will have an opportunity to engage the teams during the solar cars’ exhibition set to take place in the area. Cape Town will also host the Sasol Solar Challenge’s awards ceremony, which will take place on 17th September.
“The aim of the Sasol Solar Challenge is to see which solar car can travel the furthest distance, not necessarily finish first. However, it’s no doubt that the finish line is always the optimal point in any endurance challenge,” said Robert Walker, director and owner of the Sasol Solar Challenge. “We are looking forward and hope to see all teams at the finish line.” The V&A Waterfront will be hosting the event as the official finish line for the second time since 2008. V&A Waterfront is currently operating on solar energy system, which was launched in November 2021.
“The V&A Waterfront strives to be one of the greenest precincts in Africa, driving sustainability and being a platform for innovation,” said Andre Theys, V&A Waterfront executive for operations. “In a period where we will be expanding our solar energy use and pioneering a modular blackwater treatment plant to realise water savings, the presence of the Sasol Solar Challenge assists in spreading our philosophy of working with communities while investing in solutions for a healthier planet. We look forward to welcoming the solar car teams to our neighbourhood.”
Nozipho Mbatha, Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships at Sasol said, “The V&A Waterfront is an iconic destination, and this makes it an ideal finish line for the Sasol Solar Challenge. Celebrating the different teams with different cultures from around the world – with a shared vision in STEM education – is at the centre of the Sasol Solar Challenge. ”
The Sasol Solar Challenge takes place every two years, bringing together university and high school teams, and even private engineers who have manufactured fully functioning, roadworthy cars powered only by the sun. It runs on public roads, sharing space with trucks and regular traffic, and passes through multiple small towns.
The 2022 route from Johannesburg to Cape Town will include five provinces, 14 towns and more than 20 communities. New towns include Boksburg, Trompsburg, Willowmore, Kirkwood, Jeffreys Bay, Riversdale and Caledon. The event is also bringing new local and international teams including those competing for the first time in South Africa and in a solar challenge.
Spectators are welcome at all stops, and more information on the route and the teams can be found at:
https://www.solarchallenge.org.za/ or on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SASolarChallenge/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sasolarchallenge/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Solar_Challenge