Belgian Solar Team to compete in American Solar Challenge
The Innoptus Solar Team from KU Leuven, which placed third in the World Solar Car Racing Championship in Australia at the end of August, will now compete in the American Solar Challenge in North America. KU Leuven announced this on Friday.
In Australia, the team raced across the continent but lost its world title, finishing in third place. The students say they are determined to take “revenge” by aiming for first place in the American competition. “We now know a lot about what we need to go all out for victory in America,” says team manager Marie-Johanna Schillemans.
The race will run over eight days, during which teams must cover the longest possible distance using only solar power. It is expected to be more demanding than the Australian championship, with heavier traffic and greater elevation changes. “We now have more insight into what works and what doesn’t, and how we can adapt more quickly in unforeseen situations,” Schillemans says.
However, key details remain uncertain. Organisers have not yet announced the exact date or location of the race. “The route is still unknown, and it’s also the first time we’re going to America, so we can’t rely on knowledge from previous teams,” says Quinten Duyck, the team’s strategist. To prepare, the team is studying historical data and past routes. Their car, the Infinite Apollo, will also need adjustments to comply with American regulations.
The Belgian Solar Team from KU Leuven has a history that spans more than two decades. Founded in 2004, the team was created to give engineering students the opportunity to apply their technical skills to an ambitious, real-world challenge: designing and building a solar-powered car capable of competing on the world stage.
#FlandersNewsService | Presentation of ‘the Infinite Apollo, the 11th solar car by the Innoptus Solar Team, the solar car team of KU Leuven on Monday 5 May 2025. © BELGA PHOTO INE GILLIS
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