The Innoptus Solar Team from KU Leuven has made history. On August 1, 2026, the team won the American Solar Challenge 2026, becoming the first European team ever in the history of this American competition. On board the Infinite Apollo solar car were precision components from BO-Solutions from Roeselare, a partner of the student team for thirteen years.
From Minneapolis to Amarillo – American Solar Challenge 2026
From Minneapolis to Amarillo – American Solar Challenge 2026
The race started on July 25 in Minneapolis and covered over 2,400 kilometers along the Great River Road and Route 66, to the finish in Amarillo, Texas. The team started in third place, quickly climbed to second, and took the lead on day five. That lead was extended to more than 50 kilometers over the competition from Delft – and held until the finish.
“This one goes down in the history books,” reacted team member Robbe Willaert after the victory. It was the Innoptus Solar Team in this competition, and immediately the first European victory in the history of the American Solar Challenge.
BO-Solutions: a partner for 13 years
BO-Solutions has been supplying precision parts for the Innoptus Solar Team's solar cars since 2013, parts that must be light, strong, and reliable at the same time.
“At that level, every micron and every gram counts,” says Managing Director Bart Vandepitte. “You achieve that impact with high-tech precision machining, craftsmanship, and a collaboration built on a shared ambition for years.”
By giving students the opportunity to develop groundbreaking technology, BO-Solutions helps strengthen the knowledge and competitiveness of the Belgian manufacturing industry of tomorrow – a commitment that extends beyond this competition.
Het Nieuwsblad published extensive coverage of this historic victory. Read the full article here: Solar car that Roeselare company helped build races to victory in prestigious American competition | Nieuwsblad
' role BO-Solutions in it important enough to write about: read the article on Mandelnieuws.be
