Source: Vlaio Image credit: Vlaio

The Innoptus Solar team from KU Leuven University were the first European team to win the recent Electrek American Solar Challenge, an eight-day solar race held in the USA. The team of engineering students emerged victorious as they faced challenging conditions over the 4,000 km competition.

The KU Leuven team and their car gave an impressive performance through high temperatures, humidity, and challenging roads as it raced through locations including Minneapolis, the Mississippi, the Great River Road, Route 66 and Amarillo.

Partner contributions to the Innoptus Solar success

The team described their victory as a demonstration of the power of Flemish innovation, engineering and collaboration. They thanked Flemish companies, knowledge institutions as well as government organisations for their support, such as Innoptus, VLAIO, VITO, Flanders Make, and the the Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI).

The latest of numerous international accolades

This latest Electrek American Solar Challenge victory adds to an already impressive track record for the team, after winning the world championship in Australia twice, the European championship, as well as races in Chile and South Africa.