Brunel Solar Team
Promoting sustainability through innovation
Bright young minds driving the future of renewables
Brunel is the proud main sponsor of the Brunel Solar Team - a group of ambitious university students from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands who design, build and race in global solar car competitions. Each year, a new team is selected to continue building upon the technology, learnings and legacy of their predecessors.
Their skills and areas of study span a range of disciplines from aerospace engineering to computer science. Their combined talents will be stretched to their limits as the team plans, designs, tests, races and promotes the latest iteration of the Nuna solar car in Australia's Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (which they have won eight times) or the Sasol Solar Challenge in South Africa (which they have won four times).
Introducing Nuna 13
Drawing on 25 years of knowledge and ambition, 2025's Nuna was the Brunel Solar Team's most ambitious yet - bigger, faster and more innovative than ever.
The introduction of the extendable and rotating fin converts crosswinds into extra propulsion, which can also be used to charge the battery. Strategic efforts were made to minimise solar energy consumption, with an ironless motor, improved steering system and silicon solar cells - 30% more efficient than standard solar panels. And for the first time, pre-preg methods for the chassis was used to reduce car weight.
The car is one and a half times bigger as we're allowed to use six square meters of solar panels instead of four, but the battery capacity has actually been significantly reduced.
Daan van den Dries - Chief Engineer
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Inspiring a more sustainable future
"The passion, teamwork and determination of the Brunel Solar Team aligns perfectly with Brunel's values.
Bringing talent, technology and shared commitment towards reducing environmental impact together to inspire lasting change is something that Brunel is proud to be a part of.
We're thrilled when the Brunel Solar Team bring Nuna to Australia for the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. It's a great way to showcase the potential of solar energy and the limitless capabilities of students, and inspires future generations."
- Querida Swinnerton, Director ANZ
A brief history of the Brunel Solar Team
1999
Nine TU Delft students decided to build a solar car to participate in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
2001
Debut of Nuna at the Bridgestone Solar Challenge in Australia. The team was the first newcomer to ever win.
2013
Nuna 7S participates in South Africa’s Sasol Solar Challenge for the first time, taking out the top spot.
2015
After their seventh Bridgestone World Solar Challenge win, Nuna 8 set a world record in Egypt.
2020
The Nuna 10S team race in the American Solar Challenge, breaking the world record previously held by Nuna 8.
2022
Brunel takes over Vattenfall as the main sponsor of the solar team, going on to win the Sasol Solar Challenge.
Need help sourcing Renewable Energy talent?
Brunel's renewable energy experts can support you to successfully identify, attract and deliver skilled blue and white-collar personnel and solutions matched to your business’ unique requirements. Whatever complexities you face, Brunel is here to simplify them.
