Ready to be part of the adventure?

Adventure

First and foremost, the whole Solar Team Twente experience is an adventure from start to finish. Picture yourself traveling through the desert, driving along with your very own rally car. But that is only the climax of the adventure. Designing, building, and testing the car, presenting it to the world at the Car Reveal, and even organizing the logistics of getting the car and the team to Morocco!

Hands-on experience

Not only will you have an adventure of a lifetime, but you will also gain valuable hands-on experience that complements your studies. As part of the technical team, you will apply the theoretical knowledge you have gained during your studies to design and optimize the car. Imagine using your CAD skills to create the most efficient and innovative computer model of the car. For those in the Marketing and Communication team, you will have the opportunity to create your own marketing strategy and see it come to life. And, there’s nothing quite like the rush of signing a new partner and expanding the team’s network. If you are part of the Management team, you will develop your leadership skills and improve your organisational skills!

ECTS

Here’s an added bonus – your experience at Solar Team Twente can sometimes be counted as credits for your study programme! In some cases, Solar Team Twente can be considered as a minor or an internship, potentially saving you a significant amount of time in your studies. This option exists for both students from Saxion and the UT, but the specific arrangements vary depending on your study programme. Feel free to contact us at apply@solarteam.nl to learn more about this benefit and how it applies to your specific situation, or contact your programme coordinator yourself.

Contact with companies

Last but not least, being part of Solar Team Twente means you will have direct contact with a wide range of companies. Our extensive partner network will provide you with valuable connections and opportunities. These companies not only share their knowledge and expertise with the team, but they can also help you find internships or even future job opportunities.

Outline of the new edition

With a new challenge comes an entirely new roadmap for Solar Team Twente. However, after 22 years of building the most efficient solar cars in the world we know a thing or two about a design testing and racing process. So you will be building on top of the existing technology of Solar Team Twente, but it is up to you how we apply this to rallying. 

The year will roughly be split up into 5 phases. Namely the concept, design, build, test and race phase. 

Concept Phase

During the concept phase, the technical team dives deep into the regulations of the upcoming race. They conceptualise and brainstorm about all the innovations and projects the team will undertake in the coming time. This phase is filled with creativity and wild ideas. 

The management team will draft the first plans. They will budget for the coming year and will reach out and initiate contact with all partners involved in Solar Team Twente. 

The communications team will start working on the first partner event of the year. This phase is also for them, where the communications plan is written. Core values and a communication theme for the coming year will be drafted. 

Design Phase

During this phase the technical team will start designing all the ideas and innovations drafted up during the concept phase. This phase is filled with the first deadlines and the preparations for the production.

The management team will ensure that the technical team is able to start producing at the start of the production phase. They will have to work closely with the technical team to ensure proper materials are ordered and delivered in time. As well as ensuring all production partnerships are set in stone. They will also work closely with the communication team in preparation for the first event. 

The communication team will host their first event for partners, friends and family. Starting to tell the story of Solar Team Twente, and also making preparations for attention in the national media and trying to get there with media stunts. 

Production Phase

For the technical team it's now all hands on, as after the design phase the team starts working on bringing the car to life! This will be a very exciting and demanding time. It includes a lot of late night snacks, celebratory beers and beunfixes. You will often hear them say: "mooi beun is niet lelijk" as they give it their all to bring the car to life before the car is revealed.

The management team is very busy during this period. Both in supporting the technical team and the communications team. As well as finalizing the last partnerships and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. 

The communications team is now preparing for the biggest event of the year the car reveal. The car reveal is the moment where the entire team presents what they have been working so hard for. The car reveal is one of if not the highlight for all the partners. The event brings together hundreds of students, partners, friends and family to celebrate the newly built car. Next to this the communications team is also working very closely with the technical team whilst applying the most spectacular livery bringing the car truly to life!

Test Phase

During the testing phase the technical team will be very busy waiting around. Because testing is waiting. This will also be where you discover weak points in the car and you collectively find creative solutions around them

The technical manager and operations are very busy with the test planning and getting all test facilities in place. The others in the management team will work closely with the communications team in keeping all the stakeholders happy and giving a helping hand where possible.

The communication team will be busy getting the nicest shots of the brand new car in action on the testing days. They will also be preparing for the communication strategy during the race, keeping all stakeholders happy.

Race Phase

After testing you ship out all of the stuff to the race, the big moment for the operational manager to put all shipping into place. This is where you as the entire team have been working for, during the race everyone will have their clearly defined and well-prepared role. It will be a busy rollercoaster but also the biggest and most important moment of the year for the entire team. This will also be the phase which is the most unknown yet for Solar Team Twente so what this will entail will be entirely up to your team's planning.

Any other questions?

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via apply@solarteam.nl. You can also sign-up below to receive personal updates about the upcoming application process.