Michigan Univeristy First to Cross Finish Line on Final Day of Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge

USA team beat 13 others with UAE team close behind in second over finish line at Shams solar power station

Abu Dhabi, 18 January 2015: The Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge teams have finished their cross-country route, with Michigan University crossing the finish line first today and the Petroleum Institute (PI) just 4 minutes behind. Official results are still to be confirmed, with judges taking into account time penalties incurred.  

The Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge, the first ever International Solarcar Federation (ISF) sanctioned event to be held in the UAE, is sponsored by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Hosted by Masdar, it is part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

After an eventful day on the roads of the Western Region, teams completed the 418km journey which is the longest distance of all the days. Navigating the roads from Shams Solar Power Plant through the Abu Dhabi sand dunes to Liwa Desert, before returning back to Shams, the teams were put through their paces.

It was neck and neck to the end of the Challenge between home team Petroleum Institute and the Michigan team, visiting from the USA. Both teams performed highly throughout the event, with an impressive performance from PI who were competing for the first time in a solar challenge.

With all 14 cars crossing the finish line, these teams are demonstrating that their solar cars are capable of travelling and withstanding long distances across varied road and traffic conditions, in real world driving scenarios.

A large crowd of school children from the Western Region were there to welcome the teams over the finish line with cheers and celebrations, including their home team.

Dr Nawal Al Hosany, Director of Sustainability, said, “Masdar is proud to be a part of something which encourages and inspires the future generation, and we hope that the excitement of today will capture the minds of the school children who attended- encouraging them to take an interest in renewable energy and clean tech.”

After three days of gruelling driving, the cars will be gathered tomorrow at the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), when the winners of the Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge will be officially crowned.