Our Story
ilumen european solar challenge
2024
In the summer of 2024, the team achieved a remarkable 9th-placed finish in the Challenger class at the iLumen European Solar Challenge, solidifying our position as UK National Champions with a best-placing British finish at the 24-hour endurance event.
Over the course of the 24 hours, we completed an impressive 225 laps of the former F1 track Circuit Zolder in Belgium with our new and improved Ortus-T car, which had been specially modified for the race. Key to our success was an innovative twin motor configuration and a low centre of mass that meant Ortus-T was optimised for track performance.
Goodwood festival of speed
2024
In July 2024, the team had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Future Labs event at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, an exhibit dedicated to showcasing some of the latest and greatest innovations. The team had the opportunity to showcase two of our race vehicles, DUSC2023 and Ortus-T.
With crowds of over 200,000 attending the event, Durham University Solar Car’s attendance underlined the importance of advancing solar-powered transportation technologies and highlighted the exciting potential of renewable energy in motorsport.
The first day at the event saw DUSC2023 take on the iconic Goodwood Hill Climb. Alongside F1 cars, luxury hyper cars, and other well established racing teams, we successfully ascended the hill whilst thousands of captivated spectators watched on.
Bridgestone wORLD SOLAR CHALLENGE
2023
In 2023, we competed in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge where we finished the incredibly tough event in under six days for the first time. We finished 11th with our new solar car, DUSC2023, which meant we were the best placing British team to complete the 3000km race across the Australian outback.
The team travelled as far as we could between 8am until 5pm and then camped in the desert during the night. The outback is very unpredictable so we were very impressed by the stability and reliability of the car, only needing to pull over twice during the whole race. When finally driving in Adelaide towards the end of the race, we had to deal with the bustling city along side rush hour traffic but the excitement and pride of carrying the car over the finish line made everything worth it!
bright network award and palace green
2022
We were thrilled to announce our selection as the 2021 Environmental Society of the Year by Bright Network, sponsored by Openreach.
The award is acknowledgement of the steps that we have made over the past year in driving forward the implementation of green technology in transport as well as the work we have done in spreading sustainability awareness through the education of young students at a multitude of community outreach events and school visits, including talks to over 1,500 students in a half-year.
This was coupled by our attendance at the Palace Green event, allowing us to present our car to the Durham community, in the grounds of Durham Castle.
Solar Tour UK
2021
Community outreach takes us on trips across the country, spreading awareness of both sustainable transport and STEM education. We primarily visit schools, talking to students about the car’s tech and what they might be able to achieve through STEM.
We had high hopes for this year of racing in the American Solar Challenge, however, the disruption of COVID-19 forced us to withdraw. Instead, we set our sights on a UK based event (STUK), with a heavy focus on community outreach. Over two separate weeks we visited 12 schools from the Isle of Sheppey to Newcastle and everywhere in between, presenting to over 1,500 students.
European Solar Challenge
2020
We were set to compete in the 2020 iLumen European Solar Challenge (iESC), the world’s only 24-hour endurance race of its kind. However, due to U.K. travel restrictions, the team had to withdraw from the competition. Determined to not let a year of hard work go to waste, the team organised an event of their own – the Ouston Solar Challenge.
24 hours and 7 punctured tyres later, the team achieved an impressive 414 kilometres.
We received the iESC Hybrid Challenge Award for demonstrating unparalleled ingenuity and determination in taking on a 24-hour challenge of their own.
A British first with Ortus
2019
In 2019, DUEM entered the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge with their newly built car, Ortus. Over the past two years the team designed and built Ortus themselves and were excited to show her off on an international platform.
After 6 days of driving across the outback, camping wherever Ortus stopped and making it to all 9 control stops, we achieved 14th place in the Challenger class. Ortus had traveled 2,834km, making us the top British Team in its category!
The car’s new and improved model tested to a top speed of 88kph (55mph), whilst weighing just 178kg and using less power than a hairdryer.
Journey of DUSC
2017
Weighing just 250kg, and capable of a top speed of 100kph, we were confident that the car, DUSC2017, would be successful in the race. We completed an impressive 1000km of the 3000km challenge, despite it raining for a substantial portion of the route. Just take a look at our gallery of photos from WSC 2017.
Following our success, we once again received the IMechE World Solar Challenge award.
A complete re-design
2015
After 3 years of design and development, DUEM took part in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge for the second time, with an all new design. With a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, state-of-the-art aerodynamics, and mechanical and electrical systems, the car (DUSC2015) had the potential to reach 70mph and weighed just 250kg.
Although faced with difficult circumstances, the team learned a great deal from this challenging experience and built upon these lessons in the highly successful entry in 2017. You can see our photo highlights from this challenge here.
We were also thrilled to receive the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) 2015 World Solar Challenge award.
OUR FIRST WORLD SOLAR CHALLENGE
2011
2011 saw Durham make its first foray into the world’s premier solar race, the World Solar Challenge. The Australian Outback presented some unique challenges to the teams involved, including blistering temperatures, lightning storms, challenging terrain and even bush fires.
In qualifying, the car performed strongly, finishing in the top 10. Unfortunately once on the road, it was found that the car, DUSC2011, had encountered cracking on its highly fragile solar cells. Despite these issues, the team persevered, reaching Adelaide in just 7 days. Read more about the WSC here.
ROOKIE TEAM OF THE YEAR
2008
In 2008, Durham competed in the North American Solar Challenge (NASC); the only UK team to do so. The race took place over nine days on a route between Texas, Kansas and Calgary, covering just over 2500 miles.
After suffering early setbacks due to minor mechanical faults and poor solar conditions, the team finished the second half of the race strongly, moving steadily up the leader board and finishing 14th out of 26 entries. At the awards ceremony, Durham were awarded “Rookie Team of the Year” as the highest placed new entry.
Solar Car At Durham University
2002
2002 saw the very beginnings of solar car at Durham University as the Formula Student team began to focus on electric motorsport, inspired by the world’s migration towards an increasingly sustainable and brighter future.
