Solar car teams who participated in the 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge were celebrated for their achievements at an awards ceremony which was held at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on 17 September. The solar cars teams travelled roughly 2, 300 km from Johannesburg to Cape Town for eight days, demonstrating the power of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) while also promoting the use of renewable energy through their cutting-edge solar cars.

Among other guests, the ceremony was attended by government officials from the City of Cape Town, event partners and the Dutch consulate.

“The 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge was a great success and now we are celebrating the achievements of all participants in the event, from teams, volunteers to partners. Everyone worked tirelessly to ensure that the event runs smoothly. To the communities along the route, who came out to witness the solar cars as they were driving through their towns, we are grateful for the support that we have received throughout the eight days,” said Robert Walker, Owner and Director of the Sasol Solar Challenge. “We are also officially closing off the 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge. We believe that we were able to inspire many young minds across South Africa and hope to see more young people competing in the Sasol Solar Challenge.”

Delivering a welcom address at the ceremony, Councillor Beverley van Reenen: City of Cape Town said: “We are thrilled to host the 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge. The City of Cape Town is moving in the direction of renewables, we are therefore pleased to partner with the event that shares the same values as ours.”

She added that: “Our youth are the sustainability champions and leaders of the future, the Sasol Solar Challenge gives us a glimpse of what their future could look like. We would like to congratulate all the teams and the event organisers in putting together this showcase.”

The 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge started on 9 September. The route from Johannesburg to Cape Town included five provinces and 18 towns.

Speaking at the ceremony, Elton Fortuin, Vice President for Group Communication and Brand Management at Sasol said: “To all the teams who are here, your combined skills and talents have enabled you to complete an incredible journey, thousands of kilometres through a very challenging but diverse and beautiful landscape of South Africa. Regardless of your performance, every team that participated in the 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge have emerged victorious in their own way and we hope that you were all able to successfully test your different STEM innovations and technologies.

He added that: “A key focus of the Sasol Solar Challenge is to bring our youth closer to STEM and alternative energy innovations and in so doing, give them the opportunity to experience these concepts hands-on in order to have a better understanding of the importance and how these sectors can benefit our society. In the past eight days this is exactly what the teams have done and we are proud to have touched many young minds and hopefully inspire curiosity and passion in science and technology.”

Winners of the 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge are:

• First place Challenger Class – won by Brunel Solar Team
• Second place Challenger Class – won by Agoria Solar Team
• Third place Challenger Class – won by Tshwane University of Technology Solar Team

The awards were presented by partners of the Sasol Solar Challenge as follows:

• Presented by Sasol (title sponsor) - African Spirit Award won by Agoria Solar Team
• Presented by Ctrack – Navigation Award won by the University of the Free State Solar Car Team
• Presented by Citizen Watches SA - Citizen Professionalism and Safety Award won by Think Bike
• Presented by DHL Global Forwarding – Longest Distance in a day Award won by Agoria Solar Team (609.4 km)
• Presented by ACDC – Electrical excellence Award won by Brunel Solar Team
• Presented by Solareff – Best African Team Award won by Tshwane University of Technology Solar Team
• Presented by Potensa – Best High School Team Award won by Genuine JV Solar Car Team
• Presented by City of Cape Town – Rookie Award won by SolarFlair
• Presented by Euro Steel – Structural Design Award won by the North West University Solar Car Team
• Presented by Monatte Coffee – Best Observer Award won by Malcom (volunteer)
• Community Engagement Award won by Seilatsatsi (Central University of Technology)
• Presented by CSIR - Cruiser Class Award won by UniChamps (Unisa)

Overall results are as follows:

• Brunel Solar Team – 4228.2 km
• Agoria Solar Team – 4189.9 km
• TUT Solar Team – 2682.4 km
• NWU Solar Car Team – 2430.2 km
• Genuine JV Solar Car Team – 1281.8 km
• SolarFlair – 608.5 km
• University of the Free State Solar Team – 521.2 km
• UniChamps Solar Car Team – 188.2 km
• Seilatsatsi (CUT) – (Withdrawn from the Sasol Solar Challenge)