Who Are We?

We are

Durham university solar car

A team of innovative university students who love to push our engineering skills to new levels. As a student run and student led team, we design and build solar cars which we race in international events against other world-leading solar teams.

 

We are the UK’s longest running team of its kind, always pushing the boundaries of technological innovation. Since our founding we have developed 5 generations of solar car, racing in 2008 across North America and in 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2019 in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge across the Australian Outback. We love to welcome new ideas and challenges to our 50-strong team which is ever-growing and evolving as new students join the university, bringing with them fresh ideas and solutions.

Numbers Speak For Themselves

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Years of Innovation
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Team Members
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Kilometres Raced

A team like no other

We believe that inclusion inspires innovation and have always had team members from a diverse academic background, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level: from engineering, to physics, mathematics, biology, economics, marketing and more. This allows us to utilise our individual strengths to develop a futuristic, high performing and reliable solar car.
It is our strong team dynamic that motivates and pushes us to reach our ambitious goals, achieving world-class results at international competitions. The bonds formed from our highly focussed work go beyond our university lives and we maintain strong relationships with alumni who love to see our most recent and inspiring ventures.

Development is key

As a team, we have always recognised our solar car is so much more than an engineering marvel. Our world is facing an age of unbelievable change and momentum, particularly in our climate. With global temperatures continue to rise, we all must accept responsibility for pushing towards a more sustainable future.
It’s been an incredible journey so far; exploring the world, testing the boundaries of modern technology, and learning to work and grow as a team. But we are just getting started.

In the coming years, we are committed to providing a powerful educational platform to inspire the next generation of engineers, entrepreneurs and others who dare to think different. We will continue to raise public awareness of how innovative British engineering in solar power, renewable technologies and electric drive can leave the world better than we found it. Finally, we aim to lead the world in innovation and engineering excellence, creating the most efficient, fastest and most advanced solar electric vehicles ever seen.

This website gives you an insight into our past and a glimpse into our future; an exciting future in which we continue to build upon our strong heritage and continue to showcase, educate and inspire.

Showcase Educate Inspire

Meet The Team​

Showcasing our team, the ones making it all happen. Without these students’ countless hours of hard work and dedication we would quite simply cease to exist.

Anith Sathananthan

Team Principal
3rd Year Electronics Engineering

After two excting years in the team, I’m really looking forward to starting my new role as Team Principal . The experiences I have gained from working in each area of the team are simply unmatched and I’m excited for what the future holds for the team!

Luke Deacon

Chief Engineer
4th Year Aeronautical Engineering

Leading the engineering side of a solar car team is a rewarding challenge. Nothing else gives you the feeling of accomplishment like seeing everything fall in to place to make one amazing project.

Ben Finbow

Head of Business
2nd Year Psychology

I’m really looking forward to being part of the business team this year! We’re keen to provide the build with as much funding as possible, whilst making sure we keep strong partnerships with our great sponsors!

Dylan Jones

Treasurer
2nd Year General Engineering

I’m excited to be moving into the role of team treasurer, looking after the finances whilst building upon a brilliant first year contributing to the aerodynamic and mechanical aspects of the car.

Technical Team

Ioan Peake-Jones

Head of Electrical
3rd Year Physics and Astronomy

I’m moving into my second year with the team and looking forward to taking on a bigger role in the team. The electrical systems are vital to the cars performance and I can’t wait to race it!

Brian Rowlands

Head of Mechanical
3rd Year Mechanical Engineering

I am excited to continue this amazing journey within the team, the skills and experiences I have gained so far have been unforgettable. I look forward to another year of challenges and innovation.

Business Team

Hannah Davies

Head of Marketing
English Literature

I seek to market the society towards those interested in technology, engineering, sustainability and motorsport to gain exposure and potential collaboration with new students and companies.

Ben Finbow

Head of Business
2nd Year Psychology

I’m so excited to be part of the business team this year! We’re keen to provide the build with as much funding as possible, whilst making sure we keep strong partnerships with our great sponsors!

Logistics team

Nick Thornton

Co-Head of Logistics
3rd Year Geography

Joining the logistics team was one of my best decisions. The diversity of experiences and skills I have acquired so far is incredible, and I am proud to be organising our activities in the exciting year ahead.

Catherine Flanders

Co-Head of Logistics
4th Year Aeronautical Engineering

After a great first year on the team, I’m excited to be able to give back as co-Head of Logistics. It will definitely have its challenges, but I’m looking forward to facing them head on and watching the team grow and succeed!

Advisors

Ellie Desmond

Postgraduate Advisor
PhD Candidate in Biomechanics

The team has come so far since I first got involved in 2014. I’ve had the opportunity to build and race two generations of solar cars, and I now have the privilege of advising the current team as they embark on their latest adventure.

David Sims-Williams

Faculty Advisor
Deputy Head of Engineering

The solar car is a good match for the Department of Engineering at Durham University. It brings together the range of Engineering disciplines, it is challenging and it rewards  innovations that work.