The Solar Challenge at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) promotes the development of sustainable engineering design, efficient energy use, environmental awareness and innovation. It also serves as a platform to promote engineering as a career choice to school learners. Building on previous successes with alternative energy vehicles, UJ has joined the international community preparing to participate in the 2012 South African Solar Challenge (SASC). Through collaboration with undergraduate and postgraduate students from the Engineering Science and Industrial Design Departments, UJ is designing and building a solar powered vehicle to compete in the 2012 SASC.

UJ is designing and building a variety of alternative energy vehicles, bringing together students, academics, and industry professionals to develop and promote alternative energy innovation. These vehicles provide platforms to test a variety of energy technologies, to develop student expertise in alternative energy, and to promote awareness of alternative energy issues. Collaboration between the Mechanical, Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Industrial Design Departments has delivered a unique and innovative project for undergraduate and postgraduate students at UJ, focused on efficient and sustainable engineering design. The students are required to design, manufacture and race a solar powered vehicle across South Africa to compete with teams from across the globe.