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I N T E R V I E W

Conquering the Challenger Class with a New Fin that Harnesses the Wind!

Innoptus Solar Team

Innoptus Solar Team

Solar car name
Infinite
Dimension
5m x 1.2m x 1.1m
Appealing point
The most unique feature on the Infinite has to be its eye-catching fin that can be found on top of the Solar Car. The fin is working like a sail on a sailing boat and can make use of the extreme cross winds that can be found in Australia. On top of that, it also provides extra stability to the car, making it safer to drive at higher speeds where other solar cars might have to slow down. The fin itself can also be rotated such that it can be adjusted based on the most ideal state at every point throughout the race. This unique feature also won the CSIRO Innovation prize at the BWSC 2023.
Team Member

In what year was the team established? And when was the first year to participate BWSC?

2004

Review BWSC 2023 - How do you feel when looking back on this year's race?

We drove the race of our dreams. After securing the second starting position, we were quickly able to overtake the German team, Sonnenwagen Aachen. From there on out we were able to drive our own race and really focus on the ideal strategy and perfect procedures. Throughout the race, we encountered some setbacks, such as the bushfires, which kept us on our toes. But in the end, we were able to drive so consistent due to the hard work that was put into the development of the team and the preparation for all of the different race scenarios.

How important are tyres for a solar car? And what do you think about BS ENLITEN® tyre?
Is there any tyre performance you would expect for 2025?

The tires are a main component of the car and have a massive influence on the energy consumption of the car. For an ideal strategy, it is vital for us to know how much energy the car will consume and as such, we drove thousands of kilometers with our Solar Car on the BS ENLITEN® tire. This tire was extremely durable and efficient and gave us the opportunity to really push the car to its potential while at the same time being as efficient as possible. During the race itself, we used a new set for every race day and in the end, we didn't have any problems with the tires, with some days reaching more then 800km on one set. Our mechanical engineers were even doubting if it was necessary to put on a new set since they still looked as good as new after a day of racing!

Resolution for BWSC 2025 - Please share your target goal for next year's race. How do you plan to improve this year's machine?

The aim is to, of course, defend our title as double world champion. We'll do this by trying to push the boundaries of innovation, just like we did in the past edition with our fin!

Message to the future teammates aspiring to compete BWSC 2025

The BWSC is the ideal challenge for every student! At this event, everything counts. Not only the technical reliability of your solar car is important, but also the preparation of your whole team to work together in a challenging environment. Apart from the challenge itself, it is of course also a once-in-a-lifetime event where you meet people from all over the world who are all sharing the same goal!

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HOMEINTERVIEWConquering the Challenger Class with a New Fin that Harnesses the Wind!

Innoptus Solar Team

  • ❶Name
  • ❷Majoring
  • ❸Position in the team
  • ❹Why did you join the team?
  • Stijn Vos
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Aerodynamic engineer
  • Ever since I was a young boy, I have been intrigued by everything that has to do with science, especially the aero-space industry. At night, I used to dream about riding a rocket to the moon and during the day, I couldn’t help but be amazed by the airplanes flying over my head. In fact, I still can’t. Isn’t it just fascinating how something so futile as air can make massive objects soar through the sky like it is nothing?
  • Pieterjan Dobbelaere
  • Electromechanical engineering
  • Production engineer
  • After having obtained my bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, I was looking for an inspiring challenge to complete my master’s degree. I have been following the ins and outs of the Belgian Solar Team for a while now and I am thrilled to be able to work as a production engineer for the Solar Team. Building a new solar car together with 20 motivated engineering students and racing with it is a dream come true.
  • Wout Deckers
  • Electromechanical engineering
  • High Voltage engineer
  • By pushing the boundaries of renewable technology and expanding them further, we are paving the way towards a carbon-free world. With the Solar Team, we are always looking for innovative systems such as new generation solar cells, batteries and electric motors. With the support of strong partners from the world of technology and a belief in our own strengths and abilities, we are building the future with great drive day after day, always focused on one common goal: the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2023.
  • Cedric Verlinden
  • Business Engineering
  • Team manager
  • There is one goal that I wanted to achieve together with the team: becoming world champions at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025. This was only possible by providing the ideal combination of team spirit and the will to make our craziest dreams come true. I expected everyone in the team to push each other towards that extra mile, every second gained is extremely important! With this team of motivated students, I wanted to travel to Australia in October 2025 to defend our world title.
  • Lander Kennes
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Mechanical Systems engineer
  • I've been interested in technology since I was a kid, with a passion for anything with a motor, gears and wheels. I also like extreme challenges, such as designing, producing and racing a solar car with 19 other students in 15 months. The choice was quickly made to join the Innoptus Solar Team after finishing my studies in mechanical engineering.
  • Ebert Kiekens
  • Electronical engineering
  • Low Voltage engineer
  • Participating in this innovative project where we've built a solar car that travelled all over Australia solely on solar energy was an opportunity not to be missed and a huge challenge! After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in industrial sciences at Group T, this project was a perfect complement that I took with both hands!
  • Pauline Vanvuchelen
  • Electronical engineering
  • PR & BR
  • For me, the Solar Team is the symbol of the engineering profession pure and simple: 20 passionate students combining their technical and scientific knowledge to develop a new, innovative and groundbreaking car. Solving unforeseen problems, pushing technological and personal boundaries, and braving the Australian outback are just some of the many challenges that crossed our path.
  • Stan Kelchtermans
  • Mechanical engineering
  • High Voltage engineer
  • Worldwide, the electrification results in a transition of the mobility due to the high necessity of more environmentally friendly transport. The Solar Team has a two-sided role here. On the one hand innovating at technical level, on the other hand make it more attractive to the broad public. As High Voltage engineer it is my ambition to push the efficiency of the electrical powertrain to the limit, with a focus on the motor. The involvement from design to testing phase of this dynamic component is one of my main motivators for this project.
  • Olivier Vercammen
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Structural engineer
  • Since childhood, I have been fascinated by technology and cars, but during my engineering studies I missed out some practical experience. That is why I have found the ideal challenge at the Solar Team. Together with a group of motivated and creative engineering students, we took on the challenge of producing a solar car.
  • Mick De Zeine
  • Electromechanical engineering
  • Aerodynamics engineer
  • After finishing my master’s degree at Group T, I wanted to end my academic career on a high note. With the Solar Team being in the back of my mind since starting my studies, it was the perfect opportunity to embark on this incredible adventure. Besides developing my individual hard and soft skills, I also want to contribute to the development of sustainable energy and the innovative technologies that go with it.
  • Matthias Witvrouw
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Mechanical Systems engineer
  • Together with 19 other motivated students, I wanted to do everything to keep the Belgian Solar Team as the reigning world champion. Besides this extreme challenge, I am happy to participate in a project that promotes progress in renewable energy. This is more than a race; it symbolizes the freedom and creativity to solve tomorrow's problems.
  • Jochen Valcke
  • Electromechanical engineering
  • Business Relations
  • During my studies as an Industrial Engineer, I have always committed myself to do more than just study. Within the Solar Team, I want to continue this ambition and turn my education into more than just a job. With my commitment to the Solar Team, I want to inspire young people and challenge companies.
  • Simon Decat
  • Electromechanical engineering
  • High Voltage engineer
  • I am personally passionate about sustainability and the environment, and the Solar Team gives me an ideal opportunity to work on new sustainable technologies and implement them in a solar car. For example, in my job I get to work on the solar panel, which is a sector that is constantly changing and from which improvements are constantly being made that contribute to more green energy.
  • Bo July
  • Business Engineering
  • PR
  • During my training as a business engineer, I regularly came into contact with certain innovations and technologies from an economic point of view. Although this perspective was very interesting, I was always triggered by the more technical side. Once I started my master, I was looking for a project to gain more experience in the field of technology and innovation. That’s when I came in contact with the Solar Team.
  • Vincent Mertens
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Aerodynamic engineer
  • An aerodynamic engineer tries to predict these air currents in order to minimize the drag of a vehicle. In this way, we will contribute to the solar car driving over the finish line as fast as possible!
    Of course, this is a long-term project, and a close team is needed to reach the final goal. It is a dream to work with this group of motivated people. No doubt we will all be very challenged, but I hope that in 20 years we will still be able to talk about this incredible experience with the Solar Team!
  • Dries Sanders
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Structural engineer
  • From an early age, I was fascinated by technology and science, so engineering studies really were my cup of tea. After my studies I was looking for a challenge that also has a real impact on our world, the Solar Team was perfect. With twenty motivated team members we pushed the current technology to its limits, to win in Australia, but also because of the benefits this will eventually bring to our society.
  • Annelies De Geeter
  • Computer sciences
  • Strategy
  • I look forward to enriching my knowledge in green energy and technology. With creativity and innovative ideas, I hope, together with my team, to push boundaries for the future and inspire (young) people to do the same.
  • Christophe Chenut
  • Electromechanical engineering
  • Mechanical Systems engineer
  • Joining the Solar Team is a unique opportunity to develop our engineering and creative talents while working on a project that is definitely future oriented. After completing my studies, I had to dive into a limitless universe, surrounded by highly motivated students, to passionately carry out research that will, I hope, lead to the mechanical solutions of tomorrow.
  • Jef Suy
  • Electronical engineering
  • Business Relations
  • When I started studying for Technology Engineering at Group T in 2019, I immediately saw a big hype among the students around the Solar Team. This since we won the World Solar Challenge back then! Since then, my goal was to be part of this beautiful project myself. Two years later I took my chance and showed that I was ready to take on this challenge.
  • Lode Keppens
  • Electrical engineering
  • Low Voltage engineer
  • Ever since I was little, I have been looking for projects and challenges. After my bachelor this hunger has not diminished. Building a solar car is the ultimate challenge for me!