Day six of the Sasol Solar Challenge was a continuation of the battle between the top solar car teams. Agoria Solar Team, Brunel Solar Team and Tshwane University of Technology challenged each other throughout the day, doing as many loops as possible to cover the most kilometres for the day.
Brunel Solar Team won the day with 570.9 kilometres, with Agoria Solar Team occupying second place with the same kilometres, however, crossing the finish line 12 seconds later after Brunel Solar Team, moving them automatically to second place. Meanwhile the TUT Solar Team managed to do one loop today and covered 341.3 kilometres. The North West University Solar Car Team added their kilometres from doing 170 km yesterday to covering 331.7 km today. Despite the day starting with a few challenges; three road-blocks along the route to Kirkwood, all the teams still managed to do their best to cover as much distance as possible.
“On our way to the control-stop in Kirkwood we bumped onto three road-blocks. Some of these were on the loop stop. We therefore had to quickly adjust the route and change the loop distance. Everything was fixed in 30 minutes and the teams were able to continue with the challenge of the day,” said Robert Walker, Owner and Director of the Sasol Solar Challenge.”
Day six of the Sasol Solar Challenge incorporated a schools programme which took place in Hoërskool Kirkwood. Three schools from the area participated in the programme and learned about robotics, solar technology and electric vehicles. They also had an opportunity interact with some of the materials/parts that goes into a solar car. Once they were done at each station, they then moved on to view the solar cars and engaged with the teams, who were explaining to them how each component work in a solar car.
“We were excited to finally have the programme in the school. The learners were really looking forward to it, and it’s great that they have enjoyed it. We are grateful to the Sasol Solar Challenge for bringing the schools programme to our town,” said Ryno Lombard, Deputy Principal at Hoërskool Kirkwood. During the programme some of the learners showcased their science projects built to address challenges of energy and transportation in their community.
“The Sasol Solar Challenge has proven its ability to capture the imagination of young and old and is an exciting platform to demonstrate the potential of renewable energy in South Africa,” said Charlotte Mokoena, Executive Vice President: Human Resources and Stakeholder Relations at Sasol. “South Africa is blessed with abundant renewable energy resources, in particular solar and, as Sasol, we are excited to harness this natural endowment at scale to enable decarbonisation of our business and South Africa at large. In fact, Sasol is currently running one of the country’s largest renewable energy procurement programmes, which includes solar.”
The Sasol Solar Challenge today finished in Jeffreys Bay. It will start at the same venue in the morning and head to Knysna and then finish in Riversdale.
Day six results are as follows:
Challenger Class
- Brunel Solar Team – 570.9 km (16:58:15)
- Agoria Solar Team – 570.9 km (16:58:27)
- TUT Solar Team – 388.5 km* (car trailered)
- NWU Solar Car Team – 331.7 km* (car trailered)
- Genuine JV Solar Car Team – 206 km* (car trailered)
- University of the Free State Solar Team – 112 km* (car trailered)
- SolarFlair – 107.4 km* (car trailered)
- Seilatsatsi (CUT) – (Withdrawn from the Sasol Solar Challenge)
Cruiser Class
- UniChamps Solar Car Team – 0 km
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
Sasol Solar Challenge App
For IOS system download here:
For Android system download here: