The Sasol Solar Challenge is a biennial competition (takes place every two years) that strives to be the ultimate test of technology and innovation. Local and international teams conceptualise, design and build solar-powered vehicles to drive across South Africa in the eight-day long event while competing against each other, demonstrating and showcasing their design, manufacturing, and strategy skills.The challenge runs on public roads, sharing space with trucks and regular traffic, and passes through multiple small towns.

The Sasol Solar Challenge measures endurance and not speed, therefore the winning team is the one that managed to rack-up the most kilometres in the eight-days.

The Sasol Solar Challenge takes place on public roads with standard traffic. It is therefore essential that teams comply with the road rules and any conditions imposed by the local road traffic authorities. The route contains some steep mountain pass climbs and teams must plan strategies to conserve battery power.

The Sasol Solar Challenge has been running since 2008. 2022 marks the 14th year anniversary of the challenge and the 7th event roll-out.

2008 – Tokai University (Japan)

2010 – Tokai University (Japan)

2012 – Tokai University (Japan) and North West University (South Africa)

2014 – Delft University (Netherlands) 2016 – Delft University (Netherlands)

2018 – Delft University (Netherlands)

Sasol is the title sponsor of the Sasol Solar Challenge, which is supported by several other partners and sponsors in technology, transport, equipment and funding. Please see the Partners page for more information.

Anyone can volunteer their services at the Sasol Solar Challenge. Please see the Volunteer page for more information.

The Sasol Solar Challenge drives awareness of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in young people and provide them with an opportunity to experience hands-on learning and witness real-life applications of STEM education from like-minded scholars from around the world. It also drives awareness of renewable and sustainable energy globally. Additionally, it contributes to industry research on solar technology, including the manufacturing of solar cells and electronics - battery systems that offer high-density energy and solar cells which are more efficient.

In addition to raising the profile of solar technology as a renewable resource and promoting the importance of STEM subjects in school, the Sasol Solar Challenge has also provided a platform for the Jumping Kids charity to promote the excellent work that it does in assisting young amputees. Jumping Kids engages with child amputees en-route and identifies suitable candidates for prosthesis fitment.