Tshwane university solar powered car

05/16/2022

Race Across South Africa to Namibia With Solar-Powered Car Optimized by Meteomatics Weather Data

Alexander Stauch - Head of Marketing
Dr. Alexander Stauch
Head of Marketing
Share:

Meteomatics is delighted to continue supporting Tshwane University’s Solar Car Team in competitions and racing events throughout 2022, including the South African Sasol Solar Challenge taking place later this year.

Tshwane has kicked off with a spectacular adventure in 2022: racing across South Africa to Namibia, testing the capabilities of the new car (Sunchaser 4). The road trip from Pretoria (South Africa) to Swakopmund in Namibia (covering 2,153 km over seven days) gave the team the opportunity to test the capabilities of the car and obtain data on how close the “designed performance” was to “actual performance”.

The event was a success with Christiaan Oosthuizen (Tshwane University of Technology solar car team director) stating that “Sunchasers’ performance EXCEEDED our expectations: we ended up with a 99% battery remaining at the end of our 2,153km journey over 7 days, only powered by the sun, what a blessing! Even on our "worst" day, having to climb about 1000m vertically over a distance of 300km with bad weather, we still managed to end up with a battery of 65% at the end of the 300km, and then charged to 100% with the sun all before 5 pm”.

“Key to the success of our battery performance and energy management is obtaining accurate and high-resolution forecast data (temporal and spatial) from Meteomatics’ Weather API, which we can easily access using their python data connector and quickly integrate into our operational decision-making”.

Christiaan Oosthuizen

Key to the success of our battery performance and energy management is obtaining accurate and high-resolution forecast data (temporal and spatial) from Meteomatics’ Weather API, which we can easily access using their python data connector and quickly integrate into our operational decision-making.

The race to Namibia has also given the Sunchaser Team the opportunity to fine-tune the performance of the car, as they prepare for the Sasol Solar Challenge later this year. Christiaan Oosthuizen enthuses that they recorded all the solar car data, as well as route weather data: daily, at per second intervals. Some master's students back at Tshwane University of technology will now use the data to gain new insights by testing "online mathematical vehicle modeling algorithms" the team has developed to further improve performance.

It's fantastic to see the car and team continue to innovate by exploiting Meteomatics' accurate and rich forecast database. Meteomatics is very proud to continue supporting a project focused on improving sustainable technology, such as solar. Plus the Sunchaser 4 Team goal to maintain their status as the leading South African Solar Car Team and push the boundaries of solar car design and battery optimization.

Solar Car from the Tshwane University compared to normal vehicles
Solar Car from the Tshwane University compared to normal vehicles
05 Meteomatics Bildmarke RGB negative background
Meteomatics

Expert Call

Let’s Find the Perfect Solution to Your Problem. Talk to an Expert.

Explore Our Services

We provide the most accurate weather data for any location, at any time, to improve your business.

Icon on Picture api large
With our Weather API you get continuous access to worldwide high-resolution weather, ocean, environment and climate data as well as historical data, real-time data, forecasts and climate scenarios up to 2100.
Explore the Weather API
Icon on picture alerts large 2
Only you know which types of weather pose the greatest risks to your business. That's why we've developed a highly customizable weather warning system, ensuring that every notification you receive is pertinent to your operations.
Learn more
Icon on Picture datashop large v2
If you only need one-time access to certain weather data, you can directly download individual weather data sets from our weather data shop. Here you will find a comprehensive selection of current and historical weather data as well as sector-specific weather parameters.
Explore Data Shop
Icon on Picture EURO1k v5 large
EURO1k is an exceptional high-resolution numerical weather model developed by Meteomatics, covering Europe and parts of North Africa with a 1-kilometer resolution. It is the first and only model in Europe to achieve such fine resolution, accurately capturing even the smallest meteorological phenomena, including thunderstorms, hail, and storms.
More about EURO1k
Rough Mountain 02
Our patented Meteodrones offer an innovative method to collect weather data from the lower and middle atmosphere. Able to fly anytime anywhere, cost-effective, and sustainable, Meteodrones introduce a new era of precision in meteorology.
Meteodrones
Icon on Picture metx large v1
Visualize all weather events in a high-resolution map view — with our web-based weather map tool MetX based on the Weather API.
MetX Weather Visualization
Icon on Picture solar forecast large
Energy forecasts for solar, wind and hydropower - based on the world's most accurate weather data.
Explore Energy Forecasts
Icon on Picture rainy cloud large
We combine existing weather data with unique technologies and the skills of our weather and data scientists to bring you the most accurate weather data.
Data Collection