More than 40 DCU engineering, computing and business students built the vehicle over four years, and the single-seater underwent its first track test at Mondello Park this afternoon (27 August, 2026). The car will be officially unveiled to the public on Wednesday 9 September at 6pm in The Helix, DCU, before heading to Belgium's Circuit Zolder for the iESC on 19-20 September, where it will compete against university teams from across Europe over 24 hours of racing, which tests reliability, night-and-day energy management and high-performance strategy.
A car built to run on sunlight
The vehicle itself is a six-metre "bullet"-shaped single-seater, engineered to minimise drag and maximise power conversion. It runs entirely on solar energy and clean battery storage, built using a custom solar array, lightweight composite materials and a bespoke telemetry system designed in-house by the student team.
Rian Gill, Team Principal and Lead Engineer at DCU Solar Racing, said the project represents four years of sustained effort from everyone involved. "Timeless hours over the past four years have resulted in this pinnacle of Irish engineering, thanks to the support of our partners, university and the students behind the project", he said.
Jennifer Bruton, Executive Dean of DCU's Faculty of Engineering and Computing, said the project reflects the calibre of talent coming out of the university. She added that the project "showcases the practical, future-focused, boundary-pushing talent emerging from DCU. Beyond competing in international motorsport, these students are proving that sustainable transport solutions are achievable today through dedication, teamwork, multidisciplinary hands-on application and vision."
A livery with Irish motorsport roots
The car's livery is a deliberate nod to Irish motorsport history: its blue and green colour scheme is inspired by the iconic EJ191, one of Eddie Jordan's most recognisable Formula 1 cars, with backing from the Eddie Jordan Foundation and an extensive list of other sponsors.
As the team prepares to carry the Irish tricolour into its first international competition, the tribute links this new generation of Irish engineering talent to one of the country's best-known motorsport legacies.
Complete Car's take
We'll be keeping a close eye on DCU Solar Racing's progress in Belgium next month. The iESC is the largest solar racing event in Europe and the second largest in the world, so lining up on the grid at Zolder is no small feat for a first-time entrant, let alone one built from scratch by a student team. It's a genuinely impressive piece of Irish engineering, and we wish Rian Gill and the rest of the team the best of luck on their 24-hour endurance run.
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