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What if
we crossed continents, only powered by the sun?

Back on the road

Team Sonnenwagen is back on the road! The team of students from Aachen is getting ready for another challenge: Competing with other teams once again to build the best solar car and taking part in yet another race only powered by the sun. After a sixth place in the World Solar Challenge last year, the team is aiming to reach the Top 3 at the European Solar Challenge in Belgium this year. Check out our content from the preparation phase and the race itself on this page. With our milestones you can follow Jennifer, Simon, and the other team members on their "Road to Belgium". Let’s get rolling!

Route map

Click on location point to learn more about each stage.

Start: Darwin

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Katherine

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Daly Waters

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Tennant Creek

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Barrow Creek

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Alice Springs

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Kulgera

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Coober Pedy

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Glendambo

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Port Augusta

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Finish: Adelaide

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Sonnenwagen news

15 June 2020

Five questions to Jennifer

Meet Jennifer, Board Member of Team Sonnenwagen and also one of the drivers in the WSC last year.

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13 May 2020

About iLumen European Solar Challenge in Belgium

Find out more about the iLumen European Solar Challenge in which Team Sonnenwagen hopes to compete this September.

09 April 2020

4 challenges to overcome when building a solar car

Find out more about the challenges that can arise when building a solar car in your own workshop.

03 March 2020

"Road to Belgium" Get ready for another race

Team Sonnenwagen will compete in yet another race. Stay tuned for more info here!

29 October 2019

The World Solar Challenge 2019 – A race full of excitement and drama

We look back at an eventful WSC 2019 to look ahead at what comes next for Team Sonnenwagen Aachen.

18 October 2019

Crossing the Finish Line!

Team Sonnenwagen and their solar car made it to Adelaide. This race demanded everything from man and machine.

17 October 2019

The Crash

Weather in the Outback can be unpredictable and harsh. Team Sonnenwagen had to experience it first hand on Day 4. Will they be able to continue after...

16 October 2019

A Sandy Business

What started as a beautiful race day with clear and sunny weather turned into a rather sandy matter - read our wrap-up of Race Day 3

15 October 2019

Tensions run high in the Outback

Read our short wrap up of day 2 of the World Solar Challenge 2019

13 October 2019

Let the race begin!

The teams have arrived, the Covestro Sonnenwagen has been tested and we are officially underway!

09 October 2019

The Team has arrived in the North!

Team Sonnenwagen has arrived in Darwin. Here, they have to face the static and dynamic scrutineering by WSC officials. Will the car pass the tests?

04 October 2019

5 Questions to Luke, Team Structure at Covestro Sonnenwagen

Meet Luke, one of the members of the Structure team and find out more about car simulations, carbon-fibre and the recipe for good team work.

01 October 2019

Red Giants, Unique Towns and Flying Doctors

From Coober Pedy, team Sonnenwagen travelled approximately 2,100 km to Darwin. Check out their update from being on the road.

24 September 2019

5 questions to Nadia, Team Solar Cells at Covestro Sonnenwagen

We sat down with the face of our campaign, Nadia, and spoke with her about her role at Sonnenwagen, what it means to be a woman in engineering and...

18 September 2019

Expected obstacles, unforeseen (almost) losses and some truly Australian moments

Team Sonnenwagen has arrived in Coober Pedy and is now testing their solar car under actual conditions. Anything could happen!

13 September 2019

Sonnenwagen has arrived Down Under

The first part of the team around Corvestro Sonnenwagen has arrived in Adelaide. Now they get the car and the drivers ready to race across Australia....

28 August 2019

Life in the Outback – 5 Survival Tips

Team Sonnenwagen will be spending a few nights camping in the Australian Outback. We thought, we should give them (and you) a few survival tips for a...

13 August 2019

Car testing in Aldenhoven

The team is getting ready to race through the Australian Outback. Last tests were performed at the Aldenhoven Testing Centre.

22 July 2019

Curtain up for the next generation: The Covestro Sonnenwagen

The new 'Covestro Sonnenwagen' was unveiled at RWTH Aachen.

01 June 2019

History of the World Solar Challenge: How it all started

For over 30 years, the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge has brought together the brightest young minds from around the world to Australia.

Count down begins!

Follow our milestones on the road to Belgium. What does Team Sonnenwagen have in store for us?

Mar

02

Starting repairs

The Sonnenwagen sustained major damages after the fatal crash in Australia. Repairs will be executed from Mid of March.

Mar

16

As good as new

The team hopes to finish the repairs on the Sonnenwagen and make the car fit for Belgium.

Apr

30

Albi Eco Race

[CANCELLED] Team Sonnenwagen was hoping to compete in this race in France to put the car to a test. Unfortunately, the race was cancelled due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.

May

15

First car testing

The new Sonnenwagen car has to be prepared and will be tested from now on.

Jun

15

Car testing for ESC

Getting closer to the actual race, the team will test it under real racing conditions.

Aug

03

Arrival of the team

Team Sonnenwagen will travel to Belgium and prepare for the race.

Sep

11

24 hours iLumen ESC: Day 1

The race begins! Let's see if the months of preparations will pay off. Stay tuned for daily updates!

Sep

18

24 hours iLumen ESC: Day 2

Day 2 of the ESC. What will happen?

Sep

19

24 hours iLumen ESC: The Final Day

Final Day of the ESC! Who will win the 24h race?

Sep

20

Our Sonnenwagen Milestones

Follow Team Sonnenwagen on their Road to Belgium and find out more about how they prepare for the race. Stay tuned for news and updates here!

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Meet the team

Aerodynamic, lightweight and highly efficient, the new Sonnenwagen is the culmination of thousands of hours of hard work from the design, engineering and technical students who make up team Sonnenwagen.

Meet the car and some of the talented and passionate team members who dreamt bigger, and made it a reality.

interview:
team solar cells

watch video

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Interview:
team Aerodynamics

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Interview:
team Structure

watch video

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Interview:
team Chassis

watch video

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COVESTRO SONNENWAGEN

Innovative engineering made in Aachen.

STRUCTURAL

Responsible for holding everything together by using carbon fibre as the main material and securing a safe occupant cell for the driver.

SOLAR CELLS

With 890 highly efficient GaAs solar cells, the team can generate approximately 1kWp on just 2,6m2. This is the only energy input they can rely on, to cross the Australian outback.

SUSPENSION AND CHASIS

A unique four-wheel system allows front and rear axis steering in both the same and opposite directions. This system allows for optimal sailing effects with the use of side winds.

BATTERY

With a cell mass of 20kg, the Team generates up to 5kWh of energy capacity. This is necessary for hill climbs and periods of less solar radiation which normally fuels the solar car.

ENGINE

An original Sonnenwagen 2017 motor, with doubled temperature stability. Built for longer acceleration and recuperation periods.

Sonnenwagen website

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Podcast

Podcast with Nadia Homann from Team Sonnenwagen

With incredible speeds of up to 140 km/h, team Sonnenwagen journeyed through the Australian outback powered purely by solar energy! In this podcast, we spoke to Nadia Homann, engineering student and member of Team Sonnenwagen, about the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, how the race went for the team and her thoughts towards women in engineering. Listen to the podcast right here.

Videos

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Meet the masterminds behind this revolutionary solar powered car

3022 km across the Australian outback, at an average speed of more than 80 km/h, powered by the sun, the worlds most renowned universities and teams come together for a demonstration of true teamwork, competitive spirit and determination.

Sonnenwagen Aachen are a team of innovative students who believe solar technology and sustainable mobility concepts are crucial for the future.

Hard work pays off. Sonnenwagen Aachen are on the road! Let the games begin.

“Our goal is to drive innovation in the areas of lightweight construction, solar energy and the driving strategy to show the world that e-mobility is the future.”
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Sonnenwagen Aachen are officially on their way to the World Solar challenge. With unpredictable weather conditions, harsh terrain and sleepless nights, will they prove victorious? Join us as we witness a feat of true passion and teamwork.