CUT ventured into this new territory for the first time in 2018, when we entered the Sasol Solar Car Challenge. The CUT solar racing team, Seilatsatsi, showcased their innovative skills when they competed against renowned champions from both local and international universities. Seilatsatsi was the only university team from the central region to participate in this international race.

The name of the team is Seilatsatsi. Seilatsatsi, was inspired from a local Sotho mythology.

Seilatsatsi, a chief’s beautiful daughter of the same name was a young girl, who had been warned never to appear in the sun, left her hut in daylight when she fell in love with a young chief from another village.

She immediately turned into a termite hill. But a healer helped reverse the spell, and when she was restored in full sunlight, she was more beautiful than ever before, and brought prosperity to everyone she knew.

Read the article about the CUT solar car launch, 17 September 2018

The Team

The team is multi-disciplinary and comprises of computer, electronic and mechanical Engineers. The team was first formed on 2018 by Dr Nicolaas Luwes who is the Team Director to compete at the 2018 Sasol Solar Challenge for the first time.

2018 Solar Car Team
Name	Responsibility
Nicolaas Luwes	Team Manager
Jacobus Cornelius Faber	Electrical Team Coordinator
Viwe Mqaqa	Logistics, Weather
Lindiwe Bokopane	Solar paths and solar Theory
Joaquim Vieira	Safety Officer
Petrus van Staden	Electronic Engineer
Ezra	Food & Camp Management
Gareth Gericke	Data Analytics
Monica Tenene	Marketing and PR
Justin Kokt	Food & Camp Management
Nathan Walbrugh	Solar paths and energy, Literature reviews and simulations
Dakalo Mudimeli	Navigator
Mokaping Charles	Electronic Engineer
Dean Kouprianoff	Mechanical team coordinator
Eric Newby	Mechanical Engineer
Katlego Makgeledisa	Mechanical Engineer
Francois Kuys	Mechanical Engineer
Nico Nicolaisen	Community Engagement
Wium Jean	Mechanical Engineer

CUT’s Solar Cars

Ntsu - 2020

COUNTRY	CLASS	WEIGHT	SOLAR COLLECTOR SIZE	TOP SPEED
South Africa	Challenger	± 200kg	4 square meters	± 110 km/h

Pere ea Letsatsi - 2018

Pere ea Letsatsi, meaning “Sun Horse,” is the first CUT solar car which was designed using Computer Aided Design (CAD), engineered and built at the university’s own workshops and laboratories by CUT’s Engineers. The car was inspired by a teardrop design which is the most aerodynamic shape.

CAD was used to design the car, while simulations were utilised to analyse the aerodynamics and the custom-made suspension thereof. The simulations included analyses of the slope and other aspects of the actual South African roads, as well as sun power prediction models for that time of the year, to ensure that the power is fully utilised. The car was constructed using carbon fibre. Its suspension was built from solid blocks of aluminium. The solar tracking mechanisms were programmed to optimally follow the sun.

WATCH: Sasol Solar Challenge 2018 - Full After Movie

Sasol Solar Challenge

The Sasol Solar Challenge is a biennial competition. Teams from across the world design and build solar-powered vehicles to drive across South Africa in an eight-day event. Local and international solar-powered cars travel as far as they can on various roads and loops between Pretoria and Cape Town.

The Sasol Solar Challenge invites innovation to the scenic roads of South Africa. Throughout the Challenge, one can expect to find a series of different challenges. Some needing expert advice and others needing strategic planning and meticulous strategies. With all of this in mind, we here in South Africa would like to assist you by presenting a list of ‘challenges’ that we have solved for you.   

The Sasol Solar Challenge stretches over 8 days of tough competition with some days challenging even the best solar teams from around the world. Each morning, the solar teams will set off on the next length of their journey, covering a minimum of about 250 – 300 km. Upon the arrival of the teams, they need to complete a 30 min compulsory Control Stop before they can set off to the finish line for the day.

For more info: https://www.solarchallenge.org.za/

Research Unit

The Research Unit for Evolvable and Manumation Systems (RGEMS), applies research in renewable energy technologies and optimisation. Read more, https://www.cut.ac.za/research-centres-units-and-groups

Uploaded: 08 April 2020