The latest news of the team.
New Season, New Team
As we embark on a new season, our team is thrilled to welcome the new team management and the fresh faces who have joined us after the recruiting process. Together, we are excited to shape the future of solar racing over the next two years.
Day 5: We are out of the race!
Driving out of Port Augusta the traffic immediately increased but we could successfully pass several cars in the overtaking lane. Making things more complicated, the side winds started to pick up and the gusts increased. Then the unexpected happened.
Day 4: Heavy winds and human shields
As our race day started, we quickly passed Tokai in the rearview mirror, which was still preparing their start into the day. Our spy crew however mentioned that once we passed, they also pulled onto the road and were hot on our heels. Within just a few minutes, Tokai pulled into the passing lane and overtook us, costing them valuable energy.
Day 3: Pushing through clouds and headwinds
Having woken up early and proceeded as usual, we hit the road at 08:08 am, starting the third day of the race. Running smoothly, we didn’t run in to problems whatsoever until two roadtrains approached us.
Day 2: Racing according to our strategy
The morning of the second race day started at 5:30 am. Covestro Adelie was rolled into a sunny spot, to charge the battery by tilting our solar panel. Meanwhile, the team ate breakfast and dismantled our camp.
Day 1: Starting in pole position!
Today was the start of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2023. For us, the day started very early at around 5:30 am at our accommodation in Darwin.
Race Ready!
Our driver Jan drove a fascinating lap in 1:56 minutes, which gives us the pole position for the start of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2023 tomorrow morning!
Trip up to Darwin
After Adelie had covered her first kilometers on the Stuart Highway, racing simulations were now on the agenda. In addition to testing Covestro Adelie, the aim was to train the entire racing process around Covestro Adelie.
First kilometers Down Under
Our first crew landed in Australia three weeks ago with Covestro Adelie. Once the jet lag had been overcome and we had organized rental cars, food, and on-site plans for the next month, most of the team set off for Coober Pedy.
Upgrade Covestro Adelie: Mechanical system and solar cells
A solar car without a mechanical system and solar cells looks nice but doesn't drive, especially not on solar power. That's why we installed the last technical components in Covestro Adelie in the last weeks.
Hello, Covestro Adelie!
Last week we unveiled Covestro Adelie, our latest Sonnenwagen, to an amazing audience at the Eurogress in Aachen.
The final touch
After a long period of "preparatory work" over the last few months, the production of the actual components for the Sonnenwagen 4 is now ongoing.
From Carbon Fibre to Complex Tools
After we have milled the polyurethane blocks according to the desired CAD model and grounded them to the desired surface roughness, we begin with the tool production. Here we use the vacuum infusion process to produce negative molds from carbon, which later serve as tools for the prepreg and thus for the finished components.
Are you ready for the future?
We are! Our podcast "Fuelless Future" is back with the second season, and we have even more insights, discussions, and exciting guests for you all around solar cars and mobility of the future.
Manufacturing is on!
Finally, the time has come! After a year of development, the concept of our new Sonnenwagen 4 is fixed and we now start with the manufacturing!
Admiring the Covestro Photon
After our Covestro Photon and our Covestro Sonnenwagen demonstrated their skills at the iLumen European Solar Challenge 2022, we traveled with the European Champion and Vice European Champion to numerous events and trade fairs throughout Germany.
We are Italian Champions!
We won the Italy Solar Challenge with the Covestro Photon. In the first edition of the race we started as the favorites, but you first have to finish in order to finish first. That’s why our day starts at 5 a.m., so that we have enough time before the race starts at 9 a.m. We prepare the Covestro Photon for rain this time too and the chassis puts on the good tires.
Track Record in Imola
Today’s main focus is qualifying, which will determine our starting position for the race tomorrow. The day starts quite relaxed with porridge and coffee, because the Covestro Photon is patiently waiting in race-configuration in the pitbox.
Bella Italia
Our next destination is Imola in Italy! Here, the first Italian Solar Challenge takes place from the 26th to the 30th of September. In a race that is only 8 hours long, the goal is to use the energy quickly but efficiently. Not an easy task with up to 7 percent incline on the course – but the Covestro Photon is still used to it from Morocco.