Brunel Solar Team: Racing Against the Sun and the Clock

The Brunel Solar Team: Racing Against the Sun and the Clock

Introduction

The Brunel Solar Team is a group of 18 highly motivated students from TU Delft who dedicate a full year to designing and building a brand-new solar car. Our mission: to create the most efficient solar car in the world. This year, the challenge is even greater due to new regulations in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

In 2025, the race will demand more than ever. We will drive across the Australian outback from Darwin to Adelaide with a solar panel that is 1.5 times larger than before, while being limited to a battery pack one-third the usual size. On top of that, the race will be held two months earlier than in 2023, significantly shortening our development timeline.

New Projects

With a shorter time frame, a larger solar array, and a more compact battery pack, we’ve committed ourselves to a completely new project, the fin! The fin improves the car’s aerodynamic stability at high speeds, a crucial advantage in the windy Australian outback.

The addition of the fin meant rethinking many aspects of our electrical systems. We had to redesign several of the car’s electrical systems, everything from the low-voltage wiring to dashboard buttons and even the steering wheel. Thanks to Eurocircuits, we were able to iterate quickly and receive newly produced PCBs within days, an absolute necessity in a year where we’ve effectively lost two months.

Agile and swift

Throughout the year, we also received support in ergonomically designing the steering wheel. When last-minute design changes came up, we could swiftly modify the PCB behind it and assemble the new version with minimal delays. With innovation, speed, and the support of Eurocircuits, we’re charging forward to Adelaide. Every challenge is an opportunity, and we’re ready to race against the sun and the clock.

For more information please visit the Brunel Solar Team website.