The American Solar Challenge is a competition to design, build, and drive solar-powered cars in a cross-country time/distance rally event. Teams compete over a 1200-1500 mile course between multiple cities across the country. The event has had 20 years of organized events in North America with the route typically changing every 2 events. The current route sees teams drive from Broken Arrow, OK to Naperville, IL.

In 2008 DUSC competed in the North American Solar Challenge, travelling some 2400 miles from Dallas, TX to Calgary, Alberta.

For more information please visit: http://americansolarchallenge.org/events/asc2010/

DUSC’s Experience of the 2008 North American Solar Challenge

In 2008, DUSC competed in the North American Solar Challenge (now the American Solar Challenge), the only British 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 problems and poor solar conditions, the team finished the second half of the race strongly, moving steadily up the leaderboard and finishing 14th out of 26 entries. At the awards ceremony, DUSC were announced as the Rookie Team of the Year, being the highest placed new entry.