A group of 33 engineering students from KU Leuven (Catholic University of Leuven) in Belgium have developed a solar-powered car that has achieved significant victories in international competitions.
With the of Stäubli Benelux, which supplied advanced electrical connector technology, the vehicle demonstrated exceptional performance at the Sasol Solar Challenge held in South Africa.
During the South African competition, which took place in September 2024, the team faced challenges such as altitude variations, adverse weather conditions and heavy traffic in the vicinity of Cape Town.
The efficiency of the “solar car” was ensured by Stäubli’s silicone and PVC insulated multi-strand wires, which are responsible for all the vehicle’s wiring. In addition, for maintenance activities, the students installed modules on the roof of a container used as a workshop, making the camp self-sufficient in energy.
According to the manufacturer, the MC4-Evo connectors played a crucial role in this system, ensuring the proper functioning of the photovoltaic installation.
Titles won and goals
After eight intense days of racing, the Belgian team was crowned champion of the Sasol Solar Challenge on 20 September 2024. Two days later, they clinched the European title after a 24-hour race at the Circuit de Zolder in Belgium.
“Celebrating two major successes on two different continents in one weekend marks a very special moment for us. But we are also already looking ahead to our next goal: defending our title at the 2025 World Championship in Australia,” said Dries De Saegher, Team Manager of the Innoptus Solar Team.
In Partnership with
The collaboration between the Innoptus Solar Team and Stäubli highlights the future potential of solar energy and the importance of reliable technologies in innovative projects. “When we heard about the project, we were immediately captivated by the ambition behind it and the ion and commitment of the student team.”
“By providing Stäubli connector technology, we wanted to enable future engineers to unlock the full potential of their solar-powered vehicles,” said Julian Deleener, Sales Engineer Electrical Connectors at Stäubli Benelux.
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