aCentauri returns to Europe’s biggest solar race

Zurich, May 2026 – The ETH student racing team aCentauri is currently preparing for the biggest solar race in Europe. It is the second time that the team of aspiring engineers will compete in the iLumen European Solar Challenge (iESC) taking place September 19th and 20th at the former Formula 1 track in Zolder, Belgium. There, aCentauri will prove and demonstrate the technical capabilities of their solar vehicle, Silvretta, by completing as many laps as possible in 24 hours. Following a successful performance at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) in Australia last summer, the team will test new developments for the next generation solar car, which will be built for the upcoming BWSC 2027.

Currently, several months of intensive work still lie ahead for the engineering team. Having gained valuable experiences and insights during last year’s BWSC, key learnings are now applied to further development of the car. Silvretta, the team’s second-generation solar car, was originally built for the race in Australia. Currently, numerous adjustments are being made to further optimize the vehicle and to achieve even better results in the upcoming challenge.

The 24-hour race at the Circuit Zolder in Belgium presents the team with entirely new technical difficulties. While the BWSC is dominated by consistent sunshine, the Belgian climate demands maximum flexibility: changing light conditions, significantly less intense solar radiation, fewer daylight hours, and the unpredictable weather conditions of Central Europe which all require a highly precise adaptation of the vehicle’s systems. In particular, the nighttime hours must be precisely planned. The energy gained during the day must be perfectly managed to ensure Silvretta crossing the finish line without interruption. This requires a flawless synergy between high-efficiency technology and racing strategy.