OREANDA-NEWS. June 14, 2012. Sasol has just announced its title sponsorship of the Sasol Solar Challenge South Africa 2012, which is a two week, countrywide endurance challenge of specially engineered solar-powered cars.

Held every two years, under the auspices of the  Fйdйration Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), this eco-efficiency challenge allows teams from around the world to congregate in South Africa to participate and demonstrate the sophistication and performance of solar-powered vehicles.

“We’re very excited about the Sasol Solar Challenge. Sasol is increasingly moving into the renewable energy space through Sasol New Energy and this is an ideal demonstration of the versatility of solar technology,” said Sasol New Energy Managing Director,  Henri Loubser.

Sasol Solar Challenge, Race Director Winstone Jordaan, representing the  Advanced Energy Foundation said, “Sasol is the ideal partner in this challenge, as they start exploring solar technology for the business. The Sasol Solar Challenge South Africa ranks as one of the top global events of its kind because of the unique South African terrain and will put solar technology to the ultimate test,”

The two week long solar challenge kicks off in Pretoria on September 18, 2012 and will span approximately 5 000 kilometres around the country. Competitors will compete in this endurance challenge in stages with the winners determined by three different criteria during its entirety – average time on each stage, average energy consumption and the car’s average battery usage.

It will also give an opportunity for both 2-3 wheeler solar cars to participate, widening the field of participants.

As the challenge progresses throughout South Africa, communities will have the opportunity to experience the vehicles during rest stages, which will create a better understanding of the benefits of solar power and educate the wider public on this technology.