Innovating solar mobility: Innoptus Solar Team

The Innoptus Solar Team is a group of ambitious Belgian engineering students from the University of Leuven dedicated to pushing the boundaries of solar-powered transportation. As the reigning world champions, the team has secured victories in Australia, South Africa, and Belgium, proving their expertise in designing and building the most efficient solar-powered vehicle. Their mission is clear: to develop technology that contributes to a sustainable future and inspires both the industry and young innovators. In this article, we discuss the technical challenges and the role of contactors from Sensata | Gigavac and IVT-S from Isabellenhütte, which are supplied by Nijkerk Electronics.

A mission for a sustainable future

With transportation accounting for 20-25% of global energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, it is clear that fundamental changes are necessary. The Innoptus Solar Team aims to address this issue by designing and developing a highly efficient solar vehicle, proving that sustainable mobility is not just a dream but a viable solution. Their mission extends beyond racing; they strive to promote renewable energy, spark interest in STEM among young minds, bridge academia with industry, and showcase advanced technological innovations.

Recent racing achievements

The team has consistently demonstrated their excellence in solar racing, achieving remarkable results in some of the most important competitions worldwide:

• Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC – Australia). The largest and most challenging solar car race, covering 3,021 km through the Australian Outback. Winners in 2019 and 2023, competing against top universities like TU Delft, Stanford, and MIT.
• Sasol Solar Challenge (South Africa). A unique endurance race aiming to cover the maximum possible distance. Winners in 2024.
• iLumen European Solar Challenge (Belgium). A 24-hour endurance race at Circuit Zolder. Winners in 2024.

Overcoming technical challenges

The development of their next-generation solar vehicle is currently in the production phase, following the completion of the design process. This year, the team faces three major technical challenges:

• Changes in solar panel regulations. The allowed panel size has increased from 4m² to 6m², requiring a complete redesign of the car's aerodynamics.
• Significantly reduced battery capacity. The battery limit has been reduced to 3kWh, nearly three times smaller than in previous years, forcing the team to rethink their energy strategy.
• Tighter race schedule. The competition date has been moved up by two months, necessitating a strict production timeline and close collaboration with partners to ensure all components arrive on time. This challenge also drives the team to find faster and more efficient production processes.

The role of contactors from Sensata | Gigavac and IVT-S from Isabellenhütte in the solar vehicle

To achieve peak efficiency and safety, the team relies on high-quality electrical components. Nijkerk Electronics has been a crucial partner, supplying IVT-S from Isabellenhütte and contactors from Sensata | Gigavac, both of which play essential roles in the car's battery system. The IVT-S (IVT-S-100-U3-I-CAN2-12/24V) , or Intelligent Vehicle Tracking System, is a key component for battery energy management, providing precise State of Charge (SoC) monitoring. Meanwhile, the contactor (GX21SAB) serve as a safety mechanism, electrically isolating the battery from the rest of the vehicle when necessary.

These components must meet two critical requirements. First, they must consume minimal energy, as every watt saved can be redirected to increase the car's speed. Second, they must be lightweight, given that the vehicle weighs 200 kg, meaning every additional gram impacts energy efficiency and overall performance.

A strong collaboration with Nijkerk Electronics

The Innoptus Solar Team values its collaboration with Nijkerk Electronics. “Our collaboration with Nijkerk Electronics is very positive. They are proactive, think along with us, and are always willing to help wherever possible. Additionally, they are open to exploring other components for our car and working together to find innovative solutions. We highly appreciate this partnership and look forward to continuing our cooperation with Nijkerk in the future.” According to Aurélien Soenen, High Voltage Engineer, Innoptus Solar Team.

For more information, visit the Innoptus Solar Team website.