ANU Solar Racing
ANU Solar Racing is a 100% student-run team from the Australian National University that designs and builds solar-powered electric vehicles to compete in the biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, funded by corporate sponsors and university support, and serving STEM education and sustainable-innovation outreach.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersCanberra, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ANU Solar Racing does
ANU Solar Racing is the official solar racing team of the Australian National University, operating as a 100% student-run organization of over 40 undergraduate students split into technical, operations, and business branches. The team designs, engineers, and builds solar-powered electric vehicles to compete in the biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a 3,022-kilometer race from Darwin to Adelaide across the Australian outback. Four vehicle generations have been produced: MTAA Supercharge (2017), MTAA Supercharge 2.0 (2019), Solar Spirit/SC3 (2023), and Monty/SC4 (2026), with cumulative engineering refinements including carbon-fibre trimaran and catamaran chassis configurations, an in-house Battery Management System, a CSIRO-developed 98% efficient axial-flux motor, and 24%-efficient monocrystalline silicon solar arrays.
The organization does not sell products or services. Its operating model is sponsorship- and partnership-funded, with financial and in-kind support from corporate partners including NRMA, Neoen, Origin Energy, Brighte, Uniden, Bluetti, and naming sponsor MTAA Super, plus institutional backing from ANU. Outreach activities — school workshop tours segmented for Years 5-12, regional showcases, and conference participation (Smart Energy Conference 2022/2023) — serve both STEM-education and team-recruitment functions.
The team markets itself across Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, and positions diversity (50%+ women and gender-diverse membership) and sustainability advocacy as central brand attributes. With 50%+ women and gender-diverse team composition, an active preparations cycle for the 2027 BWSC, and a multi-million-dollar cumulative vehicle portfolio, ANU Solar Racing operates as a hybrid engineering R&D showcase and student talent pipeline rather than a commercial enterprise.
ANU Solar Racing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ANU Solar Racing
- Legal name
- ANU Solar Racing
- Website
- https://anusolarracing.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ANU Solar Racing is a 100% student-run team from the Australian National University that designs and builds solar-powered electric vehicles to compete in the biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, funded by corporate sponsors and university support, and serving STEM education and sustainable-innovation outreach.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ANU Solar Racing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar-Powered Race Cars
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solar Design, Engineering & Performance Software (PV Modeling, Digital Twins, Monitoring) (EUAMABAH), Concentrated Solar & Solar Fuels R&D (CSP Innovations, Thermochemical, Solar-to-Hydrogen) (EUAMAOAE), Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS) (EUAMABAO)
Keywords
Where ANU Solar Racing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Canberra
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
ANU Solar Racing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Partnership and Sponsorship Funding: The team operates entirely through partnerships and sponsorships from corporate partners (NRMA, Neoen, Origin, Brighte, Uniden, Bluetti, and others) who provide financial support, materials, and resources in exchange for association with the team and promotion of sustainable innovation.
- University Support: Funded and supported by the Australian National University, providing access to facilities, research capabilities, and student talent.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
ANU Solar Racing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ANU Solar Racing is a 100% student-run university team that designs, engineers, and builds solar-powered electric race cars to compete in the biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC), a 3,022-kilometer race from Darwin to Adelaide. The team has produced four generations of vehicles (MTAA Supercharge, MTAA SuperCharge 2, Solar Spirit, and Solar Car 4 "Monty") and complements its vehicle engineering with STEM-focused educational workshop tours for school students.
Product overview
ANU Solar Racing is a student-run team that designs and builds solar powered cars for competition in the biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC). The company operates a portfolio of four solar car generations: MTAA Supercharge (1st gen, 2017), MTAA SuperCharge 2 (2nd gen, 2019), Solar Spirit (3rd gen, 2023), and Solar Car 4: Monty (4th gen, 2025). Each successive generation incorporates advanced engineering including carbon fibre chassis designs, lithium-ion batteries, high-efficiency solar arrays (up to 24%), and specialized motor systems. Beyond vehicle development, the team conducts outreach programs including workshop tours for students. The team is organized into three branches: technical (electrical, mechanical, aerodynamics, software), operational (competitions and R&D), and business (marketing and partnerships).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MTAA Supercharge (Solar Car 1) First-generation solar car built by ANU Solar Racing for the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, featuring 4 wheels and 1 seat; competed in the Adventure Class and finished within the top 20.
- MTAA SuperCharge 2 (Solar Car 2) Second-generation, ground-up redesign solar car built for the 2019 BWSC, with carbon-fibre catamaran chassis, 270 kg weight, 130 km/h top speed, 1500 km off-sun range, 24.3% efficient Sunpower solar array, LG lithium-ion battery pack, and 98% efficient CSIRO Marand in-wheel axial flux motor.
- Solar Spirit (Solar Car 3) Third-generation solar car competing in the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, with a lightweight trimaran-style carbon-fibre and Normex honeycomb chassis, 230 kg weight, 130 km/h top speed, lithium-ion battery, and back-contact solar cells.
- Solar Car 4: Monty Fourth-generation solar car (preparing for the 2027 BWSC) with a catamaran aerobody, 221 kg total weight (90 kg shell), 122 km/h top speed, 3 kWh battery, 24%-efficient solar arrays, asymmetric steering, and aerodynamic "sailing" capability under crosswind conditions.
- School Workshop Tours Free educational workshop tours for primary and secondary school students (Years 5-6, 7-9, and 10-12) delivering age-tailored, interactive introductions to solar car technology and hands-on engineering experiences across the ACT and regional NSW.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% motor efficiency achieved with custom in-wheel axial flux motor developed by CSIRO
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ANU Solar Racing
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ANU Solar Racing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature6 records
ANU Solar Racing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- NRMAcoreMajor partner supporting ANU Solar Racing's mission to promote sustainable innovation. NRMA is dedicated to promoting sustainable innovation and supporting the team's mission to compete and innovate at the highest level while championing diversity in STEM.
- NeoencoreRenewable energy company partner supporting the team. Neoen shares the team's commitment to sustainable innovation and is championing diversity in STEM through the diverse team.
- Origin EnergycorePartner through Origin 360 initiative. Joined ANU Solar Racing in travelling across regional NSW in an all-electric fleet, demonstrating EV integration and encouraging STEM students.
- BrightesupportingSustainable finance partner supporting the team and promoting diversity in STEM through the team's diverse membership.
- UnidensupportingTechnology partner providing products/support and championing diversity in STEM through the team's diverse team.
- BluettisupportingPower solutions partner supporting the team and promoting diversity in STEM through the team's diverse membership.
- CSIROcoreDeveloped the Marand In-Wheel Axial Flux Motor used in MTAA SuperCharge 2, providing 98% efficient motor technology with 2.4 times the power-to-weight ratio of petrol engines.
- Australian National UniversitycoreOfficial university affiliation providing facilities, research support, student talent access, and institutional backing for the team.
- Bridgestone World Solar ChallengecoreThe biennial 3,022-kilometer race from Darwin to Adelaide that serves as the team's primary competition venue and validation platform.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ANU Solar Racing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- University of Michigan Solar Car Team: One of the most decorated American university solar car teams, competing in American Solar Challenge and World Solar Challenge events. Comparable in student-led model, multi-year vehicle development, and corporate sponsorship reliance.
- Tokai University Solar Car Team: One of Japan's most successful university solar racing teams and multiple-time World Solar Challenge challenger-class entrant. Comparable international peer with long heritage of student-driven solar vehicle development.
- Sunswift (University of New South Wales Solar Racing Team): UNSW's official solar racing team that designs and builds solar-powered cars for the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Most direct Australian peer competing in the same biennial event with similar university-based, student-run model.
- Stanford Solar Car Project: Stanford's student-run solar racing team that has competed in multiple World Solar Challenge and American Solar Challenge events. Direct peer with similar university-based engineering model and corporate sponsorship structure.
- KU Leuven / Punch Powertrain Solar Team: Belgian university solar racing team that has been a regular World Solar Challenge contender. Comparable student-engineering-led solar vehicle program with major industry co-sponsorship (Punch Powertrain).
- MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team: MIT's student-led team designing solar-electric vehicles, including for the World Solar Challenge. Direct peer sharing the elite-university affiliation, engineering pipeline, and biennial vehicle development cadence.
- Nuon Solar Team (Delft University of Technology): Multiple-time World Solar Challenge winner from TU Delft. Closest international peer in terms of student-run solar vehicle engineering, biennial BWSC competition cycle, and corporate sponsorship model.
- Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER): Cambridge's student-run solar car team that has competed in the World Solar Challenge with the 'Resolution' vehicle family. Direct peer in the UK with similar student-engineering model and BWSC competition focus.
Regional players
- Western Sydney University Solar Car Team: Another Australian university entrant in the World Solar Challenge. Comparable regional peer within the same national competition circuit and similar student-team operating model.
Others
- Bridgestone World Solar Challenge: The biennial 3,022 km race organizer that serves as ANU Solar Racing's primary competition venue and validation platform. Closest ecosystem enabler and a key peer for understanding competitive benchmarks and event-driven visibility.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ANU Solar Racing social profiles
Digital presenceANU Solar Racing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ANU Solar Racing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
ANU Solar Racing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ANU Solar Racing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ANU Solar Racing
What does ANU Solar Racing do?
ANU Solar Racing is a 100% student-run university team that designs, engineers, and builds solar-powered electric race cars to compete in the biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC), a 3,022-kilometer race from Darwin to Adelaide. The team has produced four generations of vehicles (MTAA Supercharge, MTAA SuperCharge 2, Solar Spirit, and Solar Car 4 "Monty") and complements its vehicle engineering with STEM-focused educational workshop tours for school students.
Is ANU Solar Racing a public or private company?
ANU Solar Racing is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ANU Solar Racing founded?
ANU Solar Racing was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ANU Solar Racing based?
ANU Solar Racing is headquartered in Canberra, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does ANU Solar Racing make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Partnership and Sponsorship Funding is the primary driver. The others are university Support.
Who are ANU Solar Racing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are University of Michigan Solar Car Team, Tokai University Solar Car Team, Sunswift (University of New South Wales Solar Racing Team), Stanford Solar Car Project, KU Leuven / Punch Powertrain Solar Team, MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team, Nuon Solar Team (Delft University of Technology) and Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER). Western Sydney University Solar Car Team is listed as a regional player. Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is listed as an others.
Does ANU Solar Racing have an API?
No public API is recorded for ANU Solar Racing.
What industry is ANU Solar Racing in?
ANU Solar Racing's product category is Solar-Powered Race Cars. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAB, Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System), with a secondary code of EUAMABAH, Solar Design, Engineering & Performance Software (PV Modeling, Digital Twins, Monitoring). Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 3600.