JU Solar Team

Today, the race continued as we made our way toward Tennant Creek, the third official control stop. We’ve climbed to 7th place and are making steady progress.

We checked in at Tennant Creek, which officially opened at 10:00 AM on August 25, with a slide time scheduled for 11:00 AM on August 26. Tennant Creek is located approximately 990 km from the starting line in Darwin.

Nils Persson drove into the control stop with support from Adam Wallin, who helped position the solar car to maximize sunlight and energy gain.

After Tennant Creek, we hit the road again with Kevin Lundström behind the wheel. Following the second control stop at Barrow Creek, Ellie Brismar took over driving and continued for about 1.5 to 2 hours before we found a place to camp for the night.

Nova Lumina is currently holding 7th position in the competition.

The team continues to do an outstanding job – from communication and convoy coordination to scouting, planning, and driving.

24th of August marked the official start of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge as JU Solar Team crossed the starting line in Darwin with the 19th position.

The honor of driving the solar car out of Darwin went to Nils Persson, who completed the first leg to Emerald Springs. There, the team made a quick five-minute stop for a driver change. This was not an official control stop, but a necessary swap before the first checkpoint in Katherine, a long stretch of 316 kilometers.

From Emerald Springs, Kevin Lundström took over and drove the car to the first control stop in Katherine. Each control stop lasts 30 minutes, giving teams the opportunity to change drivers, eat, and rest, while officials check that the solar cars comply with competition regulations. Teams must also arrive within the designated time frame – Katherine was open between 11:00 and 17:00.

After Katherine, Ellie Brismar handled the final stint of the day, driving to Dunmarra Wayside Inn, the last control stop for the day. JU Solar Team arrived before the 17:00 cut-off and secured a 10th place position for tomorrow.

As evening came, the team had time to charge the solar panels before dark, shared dinner together, and set up camp for the night. Tomorrow, the journey continues – with Tennant Creek as the next checkpoint on the 3,000-kilometer adventure from Darwin to Adelaide.

Week 34 marked the final intensive preparations for JU Solar Team before the start of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

The week began with a symbolic ice-meets-heat photo shoot together with the other Swedish teams, organised by the competition to highlight climate issues and sustainability. Later in the day, a successful test drive was carried out at Hidden Valley Raceway, where the car felt stable and fast, slalom was also tested for the first time.

On Tuesday, static scrutineering was carried out, where the car was approved on all points - an important milestone! The day also featured an event on sustainability and a pizza party in the garage to celebrate the approval.

On Wednesday, the team returned to Gunn Point for test driving, but the driving had to be interrupted a little earlier due to a technical problem. The day was also used for a safety briefing with the competition's safety officers.

Thursday meant another test drive where the team also passed the mandatory ‘figure-8’ test without any problems. In the evening, they attended a BBQ organised by Bridgestone Australia for all competing teams.

Friday, the day before qualifying, began with a longer test drive of 120 km at Gunn Point. In the afternoon, Kevin got to test drive at Hidden Valley Raceway in preparation for qualifying. During the evening, the last solar panels were installed and the electrical team stayed overnight to secure everything for the competition.

Saturday morning was the big day. Kevin completed the qualifying lap in 2:21:33 and also completed the slalom and braking tests in the dynamic scrutineering. When all the teams had completed their qualifying, it was clear that JU Solar Team would start the race from 19th place. A fantastic achievement and a testament to the team's hard work.

The day ended with a team and media briefing and final preparations in the garage. Now the next big step awaits - the race to Adelaide.

After arriving in Darwin, the JU Solar Team continued their preparations, now with full focus on test driving, optimisation and collaboration.

The first day at Hidden Valley Raceway was spent organising the garage and gathering the entire team together with the Nova Lumina solar car. The focus was on structure and order, both to create a calm working environment and to ensure efficiency for the days ahead.

On Tuesday, the car rolled out for its first test drive at Gunn Point. The drivers practised at different speeds and road conditions, while important data was collected. The day ended with a workshop and barbecue with the team from Halmstad University Solar Team (HUST).

Wednesday was divided between test driving and improvement work. While some focused on driving, others worked on assigning responsibilities, planning and making improvements to the car. Technical problems with the telemetry meant that the test drive ended earlier than planned but the time was instead used for troubleshooting and adjustments.

Thursday was spent entirely in the garage, where the electrical team carried out simulations and fixed the problems. A much-needed break from driving that yielded results: the car was ready for the next test.

Friday began with Nova Lumina's first laps on the race track in Hidden Valley, where Kevin drove a number of slow test laps. This was followed by longer driving at Gunn Point on tougher roads, with fewer mechanical problems along the way. The day ended with a barbecue evening together with HUST and Chalmers.

On Friday night, the solar panels arrived for the front of the car. The high humidity in Darwin made installation more challenging than at home in Sweden, but the modules were secured with glue and sealant. At the same time, the Eastern Sydney Solar Team provided lunch, a much-appreciated gesture that contributed to team spirit.

Sunday began with soldering and work on the car's aerodynamics. In the afternoon, the team participated in the Saltwater Ceremony, where the Larrakia people welcomed and blessed the participants, a powerful and important experience. The evening ended with continued work in the garage and a playful relay race together with other teams.

Next week, team photos with the other Swedish teams and scrutineering await. Preparations are intensifying since it's almost time for the start.

JU Solar Team left Adelaide early in the morning the 4th of August, beginning their long journey north toward Darwin. The first night was spent in Ingomar North, deep in the Australian outback. Along the way, they stopped at several interesting spots, including the pink salt lake Lake Bumbunga.

Using both radios and Starlink, the convoy stayed in touch, and whenever something needed fixing - from rooftop tents to the trailer - everyone lent a hand. Their first campsite had no facilities at all, just open sky and untouched nature. The night dropped to a chilly two degrees, and after some welding work on the trailer, the first leg was complete.

At Axelent, we’re excited to follow the incredible journey of the JU Solar Team as their adventure in Australia has begun. After departing on July 22, the team landed in Adelaide and made their way to Axelent Australia, where they have been based until August 3.

Soon after arriving, they received a trailer for their solar car and equipment although it came without a cover. The team quickly found a solution, constructing a cover using squared steel tubing, a welded frame, and a tarpaulin to protect everything from rain and dust. In the early days, they focused on how to organize the solar car and trailer, building the trailer cover, and setting up structures for antennas.

On July 28, the team received their solar car, Nova Lumina, which arrived by truck in the afternoon. With support from Axelent Australia and the help of a forklift, the unloading process went smoothly, and the car was in good condition.

With help from the Axelent Australia team, they were able to unload and mount the rooftop tents that had arrived by truck. A barbecue lunch together was a great opportunity to connect and share a fun moment outside of the workshop.

Each subgroup within the JU Solar Team has its own responsibilities. The electrical team has been working on the battery, solar panels, and the strategic planning for the competition and the route up to Darwin. The mechanical team has focused on organizing and covering the trailer, refining details on the solar car, and preparing the convoy, including mounting the antennas securely. Their Team Manager has been coordinating all efforts, ensuring that every subgroup stays on track and handling logistics such as shipping and daily operations.

From quick problem-solving to collaborative planning, the JU Solar Team has shown impressive dedication and we’re proud to be a part of their journey.