In 2020, two ambitious students from University of Tartu had a vision - to create the very first solar car in the Baltics and race in the prestigious Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia.
Although the dream was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our project persevered, thanks to your faith and support through our very first crowdfunding campaign here at Hooandja. It enabled us to successfully build the first solar car in the Baltics and compete in a solar car race in Morocco. We were the only team in our class that made it! This was a major accomplishment that fueled us through the new season as well.
Team Solaride at the Moroccan Solar Challenge in 2021
What is Solaride's impact?
Our goal is to cultivate future talent by providing practical experience and inspiration to a new generation, ultimately popularizing the field of engineering. For these purposes we have organized dozens of workshops in schools as well as external events and campaigns. Solaride program itself has also been a great influence to our own team members from different fields. Until today Solaride has had over 300 student participants who have learned theoretical and practical skills from finance, HR, marketing, engineering etc.
October, 2022, our Build-a-Thon Energy hackathon brought together over 70 young engineers to tackle the energy crisis
The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is an important avenue for us to catch the eyes of bright young minds as well as the whole world. It’s perhaps the most difficult technology-driven sports competition in the world that has been pushing the limits of green technology and young engineering talent since 1987.
Our student engineers are just a few months away from completing our second generation solar car that we’ll be racing in Australia. The team is aiming for the podium!
The next big step
Now, in 2023, team Solaride is ready to represent Estonia on the world stage, competing against the top engineering universities in the world. While we may not have the resources like some of our competitors, including the leading automotive manufacturers of Germany and Japan, we believe that our Estonian culture - one of unity, resourcefulness, and determination - will give us an edge in the race.
The competition in Australia will test our technical skills as well as social skills within teamwork
Let's ride!
We are set to launch our second, vastly improved solar car. Our team is ready. With the support of a diverse range of sponsors from the public and private sectors, we are determined to make a significant impact on the Estonian educational landscape. Are you ready to ride shotgun?
Our fundraising goal will enable our team of 25 members to get to Australia. Your support can literally give them wings in the form of plane tickets. It’s the one of the final challenges - to arrive at the starting line. This is your chance to write your name into the history of Estonian engineering. Are you in?
With all our love, team Solaride
Funding goals
10 000€
Five out of 25 members are starting to pack their bags, because thanks to you, their race expenses are covered. However, you can't become world champions with only fith of your team present! Let's keep going!
20 000€
Two fifths of the team can take a deep breath - their journey to Australia is locked in. We still need more backup to compete with the world champs!
30 000€
More than half of our team is now ready to take flight - we still need to fill some crucial roles, so let's keep going!
40 000€
Do you see the finishline? We've fulfilled the minimum required team - now let's make it a great one!
50 000€
You did it! The first national solar race team is now ready to take the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge by the (sand)storm and show the world that Estonia belongs to the Engineering Hall of Fame!
