No one thought they could. Even some lecturers doubted it. It was a lost case, but today it is a personal, institutional and in many ways a national victory. Warren Hurter (24), a Masters in Mechanical Engineering student along with the team and mentors have excelled in a remarkable way!

It is a first of its kind in South Africa. A truly remarkable invention that is sure to attract due recognition and historical significance in many years to come. According to the website (http://www.ujsolar.co.za/): “a group of undergraduate students (2011) at the University of Johannesburg has taken on the challenge of producing the University’s first solar-powered car with the intention of taking on the best of the best at the South African Solar Challenge 2012.” This is just the beginning, with plans already in motion for a next generation, high performance vehicle to compete in the 2014 race.

It is of worth mentioning that Hurter is in the engineering industry to improve people’s lives. The idea of creating and giving birth to things is captivating. “When we started, no one believed that we could pull it off. We did. I am so grateful to my Supervisors Michael Grobler and Nickey Janse van Rensburg, as well as a dedicated team, for making it possible. Today, even those who doubted are proud of us and cheering in our corner,” says Hurter.

The website further states that the students are required to design, manufacture and race a solar powered vehicle across South Africa to compete with teams from across the globe.

Article courtesy of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

Direct link to the article: http://www.ecsa.co.za/documents/News/030412_YEPN_Ed3.pdf