Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Top Dutch Solar Racing is a student-led initiative based in the north of the Netherlands. Our multidisciplinary team of engineering, design, and business students collaborates to conceive, design, and construct a high-performance solar-electric vehicle. We aim to demonstrate the potential of sustainable mobility by competing in international solar challenges.

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is a biennial endurance race spanning approximately 3,000 kilometres across Australia’s Outback, from Darwin to Adelaide. Established in 1987, the event challenges teams worldwide to design, build, and race solar-powered vehicles under real-world conditions, promoting innovation in renewable energy and sustainable transport.

Our vehicle is covered with state-of-the-art photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight into electrical energy. This energy is then stored in a high-energy-density lithium-ion battery pack. An advanced energy management system optimises power distribution between propulsion, battery charging, and auxiliary systems to maximise efficiency throughout the race.

The World Solar Challenge enforces strict technical and safety regulations, including:

Maximum vehicle dimensions (length, width, and height)
Minimum occupant protection and roll-over safety standards
Electrical system specifications, including photovoltaic array limits
Braking and steering system requirements
Driver comfort and visibility criteria

Our design process incorporates these regulations at each stage to ensure full compliance and on-track safety.

Under optimal conditions, our solar-electric car can achieve average speeds of 80–100 km/h. The maximum design speed is constrained by event regulations to approximately 130 km/h. Actual performance depends on solar irradiance, ambient temperature, and course topology.

We welcome collaboration with sponsors and partners who share our vision for sustainable innovation. Sponsorship packages include branding exposure on the vehicle, promotional materials, and hospitality during events. For inquiries, please contact us at sponsor@topdutchsolarracing.nl.

We are a multidisciplinary team of around 25 dedicated students from various fields.

English. Since our team comprises members from diverse backgrounds and we participate in international competitions, English serves as our primary language for communication and documentation.

Approximately 1,5 years. June 2025 - February 2026. The new team will start around June 2025 with some activities and starting to get to know the project, from September on you are expected to work full-time until September 2027. Until February 2028 it is expected to still spend some time for TDSR as things like recruiting the new team and writing documentation still need to be done.

For general inquiries, please reach out to our communications manager at info@topdutchsolarracing.nl. We will respond to your message as promptly as possible.

Updates, technical insights, and live race tracking are available on our official channels:

Recruitment Questions

You can apply by filling the form found here or by sending an email to become@solarracinggroningen.nl. We welcome motivated students from all disciplines who want to contribute to our project.

25th of November 2025 - 1st of March 2026: applications are open

1st of March 2026: applications close

March - beginning of April 2026: interviews*

End of April 2026: new team

May - June 2026: transfer period, part-time for team ‘27

July: Introcamp (the date will be announced soon)

September 2026: team ‘27 starts full time

*Note: Interviews might be carried out during the application period too, depending on the availability of the applicant.

All positions are open right now as we are actively recruiting the next team! We have positions in engineering, design, communications, and business. Visit our recruitment page or contact us directly to learn about current openings.

There are multiple roles within the team, from engineering positions (like mechanical engineer, structural engineer, electrical engineer, software engineer, aerodynamics engineer, strategy) to business positions (like acquisitions, communications, media, logistics & operations). There are of course the managerial positions too (like team manager, marketing manager, technical manager and chief engineer). Each role has its own responsibilities and tasks.

For more information about the different roles, you can visit our recruitment page: https://www.solarracing.nl/recruitment or contact us directly.

Yes, usually when deciding to do your internship/minor/graduation project with us, you have the option to only join for one semester. You can later decide to join as a full time member and thus be part of the team that travels to Australia and participates in the World Bridgestone Solar Challenge.

Being part of TDSR means that you will have to work on a full-time basis. At least from September 2025 till September 2026.

This project is on a voluntary basis, so you won't receive any money. However, the expenses for around 2 months in Australia will be covered (flights, accommodation, food) by us. Furthermore, the experience, skills, and friendships you make along the way are more valuable than any payment!

This highly depends on your study. In some cases, you can combine your minor, internship or graduation assignment with TDSR, however, you are required (and you will want to ;)) to work on a full-time basis for TDSR, so you have to plan it well with your study advisor.

That depends on how your team acquires the money needed. In the past, all the teams got all the expenses for Australia covered, so we assume that this will be the case again.

That highly depends on your subgroup and the goals you set within the team. However, we can give you a general timeline:

June 2026 – September 2026: Start of your time at TDSR, get to know the team, start planning with your sub-group.

September 2026: Latest now your full-time commitment is asked for. At the end of the month, you will participate in the iLumen European Solar Challenge in Belgium, your first contact with solar racing.

October 2026 – January 2027: Design phase of your solar car.

January 2027 – June 2027: Manufacturing and testing phase.

July 2027 – September 2027: Australia and participation at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

October 2027 – February 2028: After-Australia work.

You will be on the journey of your lifetime! You have the chance to put your theoretical knowledge into practice. You can develop yourself on a personal and professional level by acquiring new skills. You’ll have to manage your own tasks and contribute to building your very own solar car. Furthermore, you’ll be working in a multidisciplinary and international environment, which allows you to look outside the box of your study and get to know how to work with different people.

You’ll also get in contact with our amazing partners, which will allow you to broaden your network and might give you opportunities for the future.

Moreover, you will be part of something not everyone does, that challenges yourself and differentiates you from other students.

Yes of course! As the team’s official language is English, internationals are more than welcome to join. For some positions, like Acquisitions, knowing Dutch would be a benefit, in the office however, all meetings are held in English.

Did you know that Top Dutch Solar Racing is the only Dutch international team?

No unfortunately. English is the language the team functions in. In addition to this, the competitions we participate in are in English, meaning that the language is needed not only when traveling, but also to be able to participate in them.

Of course! For some positions, knowledge and a little background knowledge is extremely helpful to much needed, however for some roles, no knowledge with enough ambition, passion and willingness to learn goes a long way!

If you are unsure if you would be a good fit, feel free to chat with us.