The latest news about our solar challengers.
When you look at the starting field of the iLumen European Solar Challenge, you’ll quickly notice that not every solar car looks the same. Some look like futuristic racing machines, while others resemble the cars we might one day see on our roads. That’s because teams compete in two different categories: the Challenger Class and […]
The grid is taking shape. And this year, solar racing is bringing the world to Circuit Zolder. On September 19 and 20, teams from across Europe and beyond will come together for one challenge: 24 hours of solar racing at the iLumen European Solar Challenge. From Belgium and the Netherlands to Sweden, Türkiye and Romania, […]
When people think about the iLumen European Solar Challenge, they usually think about one thing: the race. But according to founder Frans-Joseph Joosten, some of the biggest victories never happened on the track. They happened long before the lights turned green. “There wasn’t one single moment where I thought: we’ve made it,” he says. “It […]
“What if we organised a 24-hour race… but with solar cars?” It sounded like an ambitious idea. Today, it has become reality. As founder and president of the iLumen European Solar Challenge, Frans-Joseph Joosten has seen that simple question grow into the world’s only 24-hour solar car race. From a small initiative to an international […]
What happens when solar cars keep racing for 24 hours, day and night, on one of Belgium’s most iconic circuits? At the iLumen European Solar Challenge, you can experience it for yourself. At Circuit Zolder, innovation, competition and teamwork come together in a unique event you won’t find anywhere else in the world. On 19 […]
Behind every great event lies an even greater story. The iLumen European Solar Challenge (iESC) is no exception. What is now known as the world’s only 24-hour solar car race is the result of years of growth, ambition, and a strong international community. For event organiser Michiel, who has been involved with the iESC since […]
While most solar challenges take place on long straight highways, the iLumen European Solar Challenge iESC chooses a more demanding path. At Circuit Zolder solar cars are not just driving, they are being pushed to the absolute limits of engineering and endurance. With only 4 team spots left for the 2026 edition, we dive into […]