The North-West University’s (NWU’s) solar car Phoenix is at it again! The “glider"-based design car with a sun tracking solar array on its roof, will be chasing the sun once more during the 36-hour Endurance Challenge.

 This challenge will take place from 13 to 14 April at the Zwartkops Raceway in Gauteng. The Phoenix team consists of third and fourth-year engineering students.  

The NWU has previously participated with this design in the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia and the Sasol Solar Challenge in 2018, South Africa. It has been an exciting journey and this next challenge will be the first time that the team will participate in a track-based event.

The team will attempt to finish as many circuits around the Zwartkops track as possible in the allotted 36 hours, starting early on Saturday morning, 13 April. This challenge will test the endurance of both the team and the solar car. 

The NWU team is confident that their lightweight car, manufactured from composite carbon fibre materials, is up to the task and that the sun-tracking solar array will give them a competitive advantage. It is the first time that the solar car will be driven at night, and the high capacity Lithium-Ion battery pack in Phoenix will be stressed to the limit.

The team is very excited about the 36-hour challenge and are keen to demonstrate the technical skills they learnt at the NWU.