American Solar Challenge
The American Solar Challenge (ASC) is a multi-day, cross-country competition where collegiate teams design, build, and drive solar-powered vehicles across thousands of miles. This challenge tests not only engineering and energy efficiency but also strategy, teamwork, and endurance.
The next edition of the race will start in the summer of 2026. The Innoptus Solar Team is proud to participate in this team for the first time ever in July 2026!
The Event, previously called the SunRayce, was launched in 1990 and is held every two years.
As opposed to the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, which is time-based, this event is distance-based. This means that to win this event, teams must cover the longest possible distance within a specified amount of time. While driving trough a designated route across the USA, which divided into several stages, the teams can strategically choose to drive through closed loops, in order to gather more kilometers. In the end, the team with the most amount of kilometers wins!
To qualify for the event, the teams must participate in the Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP), a three-day qualifier on a race track.The FSGP is held every year as a standalone event. During this qualifier, teams must cover the largest amount of laps in order to define their starting position for the American Solar Challenge.
Two types of vehicles are allowed to participate in the ASC, Single occupant (SOV) - en Multi-occupant Vechicle (MOV) classes! The Innoptus Solar Team will participate in the SOV class this year!
 Solar car in the "Single occupant Vehicle Class" |  Solar car in the "Multi occupant Vehicle Class" |
In the coming 2026 edition, over 42 universities have registered. Among these teams were many of the world's biggest and most prestigious universities, such as TU Delft, Stanford, MIT, Berkeley ...
The Innoptus Solar Team hopes to become the first-ever European team to secure the win in the American Solar Challenge. For over a year, they have transformed the Infinite Apollo, the teams' 11th solar car to adhere to the different US regulations.
The next edition will start In July 2026. We will drive along the Great River roads (Mississippi River) and the Route 66!
You can follow our journey to the USA on our social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Want to find out more about the American Solar Challenge? Take a look at their website!