First race in Morocco

Following the cancellation of the 2021 World Solar Challenge in Australia, Europe's top solar racing teams have teamed up with a rally organizer to create a new event: Solar Challenge Morocco 2021, challenging solar racing teams from around the world to demonstrate their technical innovation and entrepreneurship in solar-powered technology in Morocco on October 25, 2021. The Covestro Photon from Aachen, Germany, is the only German car competing this year. The team is looking forward to the race with great confidence: "We bring a lot of experience from past challenges in Belgium and Australia and feel well equipped to compete with the world's best teams," explains Timon Elliger, first chairman of the association.

The latest development of the Aachen solar racing team - The Covestro Photon

Timon Elliger and the technical team of the association presented the new car and its technical innovations at the beginning of August. "After two years of hard work, we are finally ready to present the new Sonnenwagen," said Kersten Heckmann, technical manager of the team. "The vehicle is an interplay of the latest innovation and sensational technology; driven by the goal of a more sustainable future."

With drag like that of a wing mirror, the car offers the best conditions for maximum efficiency, the factor that solar vehicles are all about. The catamaran design gives the car more stability and thus greater potential cornering speed.

Apart from the great aerodynamics, a self-developed engine is again installed this season - one of the most powerful of the world's leading solar racing teams. The solar cells have been cut for improved efficiency and placed on top of the solar lid like roof tiles, overlapping each other. Covestro Photon will be the only German team to compete in Solar Challenge Morocco 2021, vying for first place.

About Sonnenwagen Aachen

Team Sonnenwagen Aachen exists as a registered association since September 2015 and consists of 45 dedicated students from RWTH Aachen University and FH Aachen. This season's goal is to design, manufacture a solar-powered electric vehicle and compete in this year's Solar Challenge Morocco - an emission-free race across the Sahara and over the Atlas Mountains. As the only German team, the Aachen students will compete with other international teams on the 2500 km route. The central motivation behind the participation in the race is to raise awareness in society for the topic of sustainable mobility, as well as the will to contribute to the development of appropriate technologies.

Download the press release in German