TOP Dutch Solar Racing: Green Thunder's Journey

Blog by TOP Dutch Solar Racing

At Top Dutch Solar Racing , our journey to the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2023 with Green Thunder was made possible by the partnership with Eurocircuits. As the unique manufacturer of our printed circuit boards, Eurocircuits played a pivotal role in shaping the electronic side of our solar car.

In the intricate system of Green Thunder, every component, from the smallest PCB in the lights system or the solar deck to the complex communication of the driver panel and the steering wheel, had to perform perfectly under the extreme Australian conditions. Eurocircuits exceeded our expectations at every turn, delivering PCBs that seamlessly integrated into our design and resisted the rigorous demands of the race.

The balance between effectiveness, user-friendly design, and size reduction was key during the entire design and building process. For example, the control board which could be operated by the solar car driver, was optimized to have the most essential functions while reducing its size compared to previous cars. Light’s PCB design betted on functionality and simplicity due to the limited space in the car. All the boards have been meticulously thought out to achieve the best overall result in the complexity of the electronic system of Green Thunder.

As a result, Top Dutch Solar Racing achieved 6th place in the latest edition of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, with zero electronic errors during the entire duration of the competition. Over 3000 km and 5 days with a smooth and functional solar car. Eurocircuits’ PCBs in Green Thunder exemplify the values of innovation and collaboration that drive Top Dutch Solar Racing forward.