European Solar Challenge
The Solar Energy Racers team stood out during the European Solar Challenge 2024, held from September 20-22 at the Circuit Zolder racetrack in Belgium. Distinguished by their spirit and unique car, the team scored points in three competitions and secured an impressive 5th place out of 18 teams. In this grueling 24-hour race, they covered more than 1,000 kilometers in a vintage solar racing car they had fully rebuilt.
Michèle Bodmer, December 2024
The Solar Energy Racers (SER) are a volunteer, independent association of apprentices, active and former Bühler staff, friends, and supporters with a passion for solar racing, sustainable technology, and taking on challenges. Members of the team dedicate their free time to designing, building, and racing solar cars from scratch. This year, a team of 10 from the Uzwil, Switzerland-based association headed to Belgium to compete against 17 university-backed teams, which generally have between 30 and 50 members.
In this competition, the SER team surprised their challengers not only with the small size of their team but also with the retro style of their solar vehicle. To commemorate next year’s 40-year anniversary of the Swiss Tour de Sol – the first rally for solar-powered vehicles held in 1985 – they tried something unconventional by totally rebuilding a vintage solar race car modeled after the 1987 winning car, Mobi-II. A few roadworthy replicas were built in 1994, and the team tracked one down, completely modifying it to comply with current Bridgestone World Solar Challenge technical regulations.
“The Tour de Sol used to be a big event in Switzerland, and it was important for solar car development, so our car was a nod to the start of solar racing in the country,” explains Markus Hofer, team coach and Head of Business Development Advanced Materials at Bühler. “We completely refitted it, adding the latest technology, drive, photovoltaics, battery, control system and safety features. The team had the only vintage car in the race, and the other teams and spectators were extremely surprised when they saw it. Our car was a lot smaller, but the team brought it fully up to racing standards and performed very well.”
It took the team 10 months to rebuild the car and to get the sponsoring they needed to get the vehicle, technical equipment, and the team to the racetrack in Belgium.
“It’s a complex process and everyone in the team has a vital part to play. Getting to the track takes a lot of stakeholder management, liaising with schools and other associations, and convincing people to sponsor. Bühler is an important supporter and has been since 2009,” Hofer explained. “But what it really takes is a team that has spirit and enjoys every bump in the road.”
The team this year definitely overcame a big “bump in the road” during the race, and it wasn’t just the challenge itself. The European Solar Challenge is a 24–hour endurance race – the only one in the world for solar cars. During the course of the race, the solar cars show their full potential with low power consumption and fantastic aerodynamics. Each team can make a maximum of two stops for charging.
“We have four drivers. Three take part in the race and one is a ‘spare’, and after every two hours, the driver changes and we fully inspect the car. It's like a pit stop, but with a new driver each time,” said SER team leader Felix Waldschock, Mechanical Development Engineer at Bühler. “The support team and technicians also sleep in shifts during the 24-hours.”
The team started strong in the European Solar Challenge. On the Friday before the main event, they performed well in the “Dynamic Parcour” segment, showcasing their car's agility in handling turning radiuses and executing figure eights. They also earned valuable points for their swift wheel change times.
On Saturday, the 24-hour challenge began promptly at 13:00. The car was in top condition and the team in high spirits, performing like a well-oiled machine. Nineteen hours into the race, the team had an advantage. Then, disaster struck. At 8 a.m. on Sunday, an overly enthusiastic approach to the first chicane resulted in the car experiencing a full rollover.
“The speed at which the team reacted to ensure the safety of the driver, and jump into action mode was amazing,” said Abdia Hassan, whose role in the team is overall project and logistics support. Thanks to the safety features fitted to the car and despite the full rollover, the driver was unharmed, and as the on-site medical team checked him over, the rest of the team assessed the damage and decided on their course of action.
Team leader Felix wasn’t on duty when the incident occurred, but he and the shift that was sleeping quickly gathered in the pit. “At first glance, we thought the car was beyond repair,” he recalled. “But after a closer examination and thorough assessment of the damage, we decided to take on the challenge and said, "Let’s go for it!"
The team then began rebuilding the entire suspension, replacing damaged parts, fully checking the electrical system. It took 3 hours and a lot of determination to rebuild the car to racing conditions. “We place high emphasis on safety – it’s not just about winning for us, it’s about being safe,” Hassan explained.
Before rejoining the race, the car was thoroughly inspected and approved for the track by the event’s governing body to verify the rebuild met technical and safety regulations. “We had the car back on the track by 11 a.m. and in the last 2 hours of the race managed to maintain our total position despite everything,” Felix explained.
This great effort not only put the team in 5th place out of 18, it also gained them the special 'Spirit of the Event' award.
“This was a real achievement. Not only were they a team of only 10, but they also faced a major setback and finished the race with speed and style,” said Markus. “Other teams have 30 or 50 people. It shows that it is not the number of people that leads to success but about how you work together. It’s about getting out of your comfort zone, strong team dynamics, and resilience.”
Many members of the team have been a part of the SER association since 2017, competing in various long-distance challenges. When asked what the winning team has in common, both Markus and Felix said it is not just the joy of competing and working toward a common goal, it’s about having a similar educational experience. “Most members of the team have an apprenticeship background and later went on to further their studies, so I would say that the Swiss and Bühler dual-vocational system is a good base for success,” Markus explained.
“Most members of the team have an apprenticeship background and later went on to further their studies, so I would say that the Swiss and Bühler dual-vocational system is a good base for success,” Markus explained.
Felix, who completed his apprenticeship at Bühler in 2019 and is now working part-time and studying Complex Adaptive Systems at Chalmers University in Sweden, says it is the practical, hands-on training and experience that really gives the technical team an advantage. “The team has grown together, continues their development on all levels, and we have fun. This puts us in a good position to challenge the teams from the top universities.”
The Solar Energy Racing (SER) initiative began its journey in 2009, coinciding with Bühler's 150-year anniversary, driven by the mission of "innovations for a better world." As sustainable mobility and renewable energy became increasingly significant within Advanced Materials, the solar race car project took speed. Agile, lightweight, and highly efficient vehicles perfectly exemplify these themes.
The inaugural SER first team competed in 2011 and has since participated in races across Australia, the United States, the UAE, Belgium, and South Africa.
The association is open to everyone and operates independently of Bühler. However, from the beginning, at least two-thirds of its members have been Bühler employees or former employees. Bühler's Advanced Materials business is one of the sponsors of the association, as solar racing intersects with all its business areas: photovoltaics (Leybold Optics), batteries, coatings, and adhesives (Grinding & Dispersing), and aluminum parts (Die Casting).
The SER team thanks everyone who contributed to the team’s success, as well as the Advanced Materials business for its sustained support.
Markus Hofer,
Team coach & Head of Business Development Advanced Materials at Bühler
Gupfenstrasse 5
Uzwil
9240
Switzerland
