Teams from around the globe will descend upon South Africa this month, to participate in the Sasol Solar Challenge 2012. This biennial event is the South African leg of the international solar car challenge, which is regulated by Motorsport South Africa as well as the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

Sasol’s Solar challenge 2012 will take place between 18 and 29 September and will see 12 local as well as international teams taking part in the race. The two-week long eco-efficiency challenge has teams travelling 5 400 km across some of the most demanding terrain South Africa has to offer, in order to demonstrate the sophistication and performance of the solar powered vehicles that they have designed and build themselves.

Included in the lineup are five teams from South African universities (University of Johannesburg, Wits University, North-West University, Tshwane University of Technology and the University of Cape Town).

Sasol is the title sponsor of the event

According to Sasol the competition will serve as a practical and engaging application of maths, science and technology, exposing learners and students to the opportunities of a potential career in this field.

The firm stated that the Sasol Solar Challenge encourages knowledge transfer from international participants and establishes best practice in technology as well as engineering for solar systems and electric vehicles all on a platform of a solar powered vehicle.

Henry Loubser, managing director, Sasol New Energy said: “South Africa has an abundance of direct sunshine and we are evaluating options to harness this power through solar power technologies. Solar power is flexible and can offer energy solutions across different applications.”

“Sasol New Energy focuses on developing options and new technologies for Sasol to utilise in a carbon-constrained world.  Developing alternative energy technologies, such as solar, adds to Sasol’s expanding new energy portfolio and will in turn contribute to the country’s transition to a low carbon economy,” Loubser concluded.

Sasol Solar Challenge race organiser, Winstone Jordaan added: “We are excited about this year’s solar challenge. One of the key objectives of the competition is to encourage young minds to become involved in innovation, engineering and the sciences. The wealth of South Africa lies in our ability to develop and retain engineers and scientists, as they contain the keys to unlocking the future. Having Sasol take a strong lead in supporting this event, has certainly contributed to its success.”

For more info visit the Sasol Solar Challenge website, the Facebook page or follow the SA Solar Challenge on Twitter (@AEF_SASC).