Earth Science News
SOLAR DAILY
Belgian team wins S.Africa's 'most extreme' solar car race
Belgian team wins S.Africa's 'most extreme' solar car race
by AFP Staff Writers
Cape Town (AFP) Sept 20, 2024

A team of Belgian students and engineers on Friday won a solar-powered car race in South Africa widely considered the most challenging for testing the technology.

Over a dozen teams competed in the eight-day race spanning thousands of kilometres, with varying weather and altitude extremes adding to the complexities for designers.

"Innoptus claimed victory after breaking their own record not once, but twice during the competition," the organisers of the Sasol Solar Challenge said in a statement.

The race, held every two years since its inauguration in 2008, kicked off on September 13 in Secunda in the country's northeast with 14 teams competing to the finish in Cape Town.

"This is a crucible... It is the most extreme solar challenge in the world," race director Rob Walker told AFP at the finish line.

The Innoptus car had a flat surface decked with photovoltaic panels and a white exterior, with narrow driver's seat sporting the number plate "SUN 08".

"If you want to create a renewable future, we still have a lot of work to do but we believe in ourselves and it's possible to do it," said Arne Besteijns, the public relations officer for Innoptus Solar.

The other teams hailed from South Africa, Qatar, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey and Germany.

They were met with confetti thrown by hundreds of cheering fans at the finish line.

Ebenhezer Tswana, a driver for one of the two South African teams, said many people did not believe their car would make it.

"I'm very happy because actually, this car we actually drove all the way," he said.

Related Links
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SOLAR DAILY
University of Michigan develops efficient system for converting CO2 into ethylene
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 19, 2024
Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a significant advancement toward creating sustainable fuels by developing an artificial photosynthesis system that efficiently chains carbon atoms together. The system is capable of converting carbon dioxide into ethylene, a critical hydrocarbon used in plastics, with field-leading efficiency, yield, and longevity. "The performance, or the activity and stability, is about five to six times better than what is typically reported for solar energy o ... read more

SOLAR DAILY
Sustainable mulch films aim to boost agriculture and reduce plastic waste

China to tax Taiwanese agricultural imports

Report links meatpacking companies to 'war on nature' in Brazil

Vietnam farmers lose their blooms as floods claim crops

SOLAR DAILY
US city of Flint still reeling from water crisis, 10 years on

Ecuador to begin drought-driven power cuts early

Congo-Brazzaville hydroelectric dam construction to begin in 2025

In Colombia, a river's 'rights' swept away by mining and conflict

SOLAR DAILY
Amazon drought leaves Colombian border town high and dry

Climate fund chief targets poor countries

Leading climate activist released from Vietnam jail

'Crushed and downtrodden': Azerbaijan's COP29 crackdown

SOLAR DAILY
Airbus to Provide Over 200 Sparkwing Solar Arrays for MDA AURORA Satellites

JinkoSolar sets sights on expanding operations across Africa

University of Michigan develops efficient system for converting CO2 into ethylene

Belgian team wins S.Africa's 'most extreme' solar car race

SOLAR DAILY
Electrochemical cell converts captured carbon to green fuel with high efficiency

Using sunlight to recycle harmful gases into valuable products

New study highlights improved ethanol production method using CO2 and Nanocatalysts

Biomethane Production on Peat Soils Leads to Higher CO2 Emissions than Natural Gas

SOLAR DAILY
Women drive innovation, evolution of Chinese wine industry

Flood-hit region leaders to meet in Poland to discuss EU aid

Six million children in SE Asia affected by Yagi disaster: UNICEF

Japan suspends trial removal of Fukushima nuclear debris

SOLAR DAILY
Human remains found in SUV that triggered Texas gas pipeline fire

Azerbaijan says 'God-given' oil and gas will help it go green

2024 Global Methane Report shows significant growth in emissions

Pennsylvania's fracking industry plans to continue, whoever wins White House

SOLAR DAILY
Equity markets rally after jumbo US rate cut

Christie's expands Hong Kong footprint in hope of art market 'pickup'

Markets rally despite China's youth unemployment soaring to 18.8 percent

Asian markets fluctuate on uncertainty over Fed rate plan

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.