Team 2024
13 engineering students form the basis of the Innoptus Solar Team. Every two years, they build a brand new solar car to participate in international solar challenges. In 2021, the team took their new car, the BluePoint Atlas, to the Solar Challenge Morocco. In 2022, the team went to South Africa for the Atlas's second international solar challenge. Last year, they have built the tenth Belgian solar car, the Infinite, for the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia this year and won. This year, they innovate on the Infinite to push new boundaries and prepare for the next international challenge in 2024, the SASOL Solar Challenge in South Africa.
Dries De Saegher
TEAM MANAGER
As Team Manager of the Innoptus Solar Team, I strive to create an atmosphere where every team member can be their best self. A close team is the basis of success! This success goes hand in hand with competing for victory in the upcoming races. Furthermore, I wish to further develop my...
Thomas Declercq
BUSINESS RELATIONS, FINANCE & HEAD OF MARKETING
I chose to study Industrial Engineering, not because I didn’t know what I wanted to do later, but because it would give me the opportunity to do everything I want to do. Engineers are not asocial beings behind a desk, we are people who challenges...
Louis Claeys
BUSINESS RELATIONS
My interest in solar energy and technology is growing strongly. I like to learn more about these during my adventure with the Innoptus Solar Team. Also, because we are evolving towards a more technological society, solar energy is starting to...
Julien Vandecasteele
BUSINESS RELATIONS
In the coming year, we are once again joining forces of a unique team to pursue a greater purpose together. As part of this innovative project, I can release my irrepressible curiosity and competitiveness in a competition that surpasses everything...
Arne Basteijns
MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS
Besides my passion for engineering, over the years I have also developed a huge passion for marketing and photography. It is the combination of these passions that led to my application to the Solar Team...
Louis De Vroede
HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEER & HEAD OF ENERGY
Since my first year as an engineering student, I was inspired by the idea of joining the solar team and today this became a reality. Furthermore, in recent years climate change and its challenges became more and more apparent...
Ward Vanhulle
HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEER
Ever since the start of my engineering studies, I have been fascinated by the Solar Team. Now having graduated and carrying the urge to finalize my education with this fascinating experience, I applied for this challenging journey...
Quinten Vandenbergh
LOW VOLTAGE ENGINEER
Ever since my first year at Group T, I knew I wanted to be part of the Solar Team. For me, this is the ultimate engineering experience: fully dedicating yourself to such a challenge to innovate and win with a team of motivated fellow students...
Simon De Baere
RACE STRATEGIST ENGINEER
As with every engineering challenge, building and racing a solar car comes with a multitude of trade-offs. It is my responsibility as strategist to balance these trade-offs and advise the team on which innovations will make our solar car once again a winning solar car...
Raphaël Annys
DATA ENGINEER
With a background in the more theoretical field of physics and mathematics, I was looking for a new challenge in the world of engineering to learn and put that knowledge into practice. Joining the Solar Team is an excellent opportunity in that regard...
Jonas Vlamijnck
MECHANICAL ENGINEER & HEAD OF MECHANICS
Throughout my youth and journey of becoming an mechanical engineer, I’m constantly looking for a challenge and opportunity on the cutting-edge of innovation. Joining the Solar Team is the biggest opportunity to deploy this passion and push...
Jasper Gutschoven
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
From the beginning of my studies at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, it was my dream to be part of this project. Throughout my study career as a mechanical engineer, I came into contact with the Innoptus Solar Team several times.This led to this dream being...
Martijn Camps
AERODYNAMICS ENGINEER
Ever since I was a small child I had a great fascination for technology and everything that moves. Later on, an interest in Formula 1 and other motor sports developed, which has only continued to grow. The SolarTeam is a great opportunity to convert this...
Prof. Maarten Vanierschot
TEAM COACH
As coach of the Innoptus Solar Team, I support the team in their process of building or improving a solar car and share my experience from team to team...
TEAM 2022 - 2023
Cedric Verlinden
TEAM MANAGER
There is one goal that I want to achieve together with the team: becoming world champions at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2023. This will only be possible by providing the ideal combination of team spirit and the will to make our craziest dreams come true...
Pauline Vanvuchelen
BUSINESS RELATIONS & HEAD OF MARKETING
For me, the Solar Team is the symbol of the engineering profession pure and simple: 20 passionate students combining their technical and scientific knowledge to develop a new, innovative and groundbreaking car. Solving unforeseen problems, pushing technological and...
Jochen Valcke
BUSINESS RELATIONS
During my studies as an Industrial Engineer, I have always committed myself to do more than just study.
Within the Solar Team, I want to continue this ambition and turn my education into more than just a job.
With my commitment to the Solar Team, I want to inspire...
Jef Suy
BUSINESS RELATIONS
When I started studying for Technology Engineering at Group T in 2019, I immediately saw a big hype among the students around the Solar Team. This since we won the World Solar Challenge back then! Since then, my goal was to be part of this beautiful project myself...
Bo July
PUBLIC RELATIONS
During my training as a business engineer, I regularly came into contact with certain innovations and technologies from an economic point of view. Although this perspective was very interesting, I was always triggered by the more technical side. Once I started my...
Wout Deckers
HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEER & HEAD OF ENERGY
By pushing the boundaries of renewable technology and expanding them further, we are paving the way towards a carbon-free world. With the Solar Team, we are always looking for innovative systems such as new generation solar cells, batteries and...
Stan Kelchtermans
HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEER
Worldwide, the electrification results in a transition of the mobility due to the high necessity of more environmentally friendly transport. The Solar Team has a two-sided role here. On the one hand innovating at technical level, on the other hand make it more...
Simon Decat
HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEER
I am personally passionate about sustainability and the environment, and the Solar Team gives me an ideal opportunity to work on new sustainable technologies and implement them in a solar car. For example, in my job I get to work on the solar panel, which is...
Annelies De Geeter
RACE STRATEGIST ENGINEER
As a strategist, I am responsible for getting the best out of the solar car in order to win the upcoming races. This includes monitoring all components of the solar car during the race, such as available and incoming energy, temperature of the engine and brakes...
Ebert Kiekens
LOW VOLTAGE ENGINEER
Participating in this innovative project where we will build a solar car that will travel all over Australia solely on solar energy is an opportunity not to be missed and a huge challenge! After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in industrial sciences at Group T, this...
Lode Keppens
LOW VOLTAGE ENGINEER
Ever since I was little, I have been looking for projects and challenges. After my bachelor this hunger has not diminished. Building a solar car is the ultimate challenge for me!
Together with Ebert, I will be responsible for the Low Voltage parts of the car...
Dries Sanders
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER & HEAD OF MECHANICS
From an early age, I was fascinated by technology and science, so engineering studies really were my cup of tea. After my studies I was looking for a challenge that also has a real impact on our world, the Solar Team was perfect. With twenty...
Olivier Vercammen
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Since childhood, I have been fascinated by technology and cars, but during my engineering studies I missed out on some practical experience. That is why I have now found the ideal challenge at the Solar Team. Together with a group of motivated and creative...
Pieterjan Dobbelaere
PRODUCTION ENGINEER
After having obtained my Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, I was looking for an inspiring challenge to complete my master’s degree. I have been following the ins and outs of the Belgian Solar Team for a while now and I am thrilled to be able to work as a...
Christophe Chenut
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Let's give ourselves the opportunity to reach our dreams! Joining the Solar Team is a unique opportunity to develop our engineering and creative talents while working on a project that is definitely future oriented. After completing my studies, I had to dive into...
Lander Kennes
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
I've been interested in technology since I was a kid, with a passion for anything with a motor, gears and wheels. I also like extreme challenges, such as designing, producing and racing a solar car with 19 other students in 15 months. The choice was quickly made to...
Matthias Witvrouw
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Throughout my trajectory as a mechanical engineering student, my desire to have a positive impact on the future grew. Now that my master studies are over, I want to contribute to the growing legacy of the Belgian Solar Team. Together with Christophe and Lander, we...
Mick De Zeine
AERODYNAMICS ENGINEER
After finishing my master’s degree at Group T, I wanted to end my academic career on a high note. With the Solar Team being in the back of my mind since starting my studies, it was the perfect opportunity to embark on this incredible adventure...
Stijn Vos
AERODYNAMICS ENGINEER
Ever since I was a young boy, I have been intrigued by everything that has to do with science, especially the aero-space industry. At night, I used to dream about riding a rocket to the moon and during the day, I couldn’t help but be amazed by the...
Vincent Mertens
AERODYNAMICS ENGINEER
We are not always aware of it, but the flow of air is ever present around us. It's only when we're running late for an appointment that we notice how hard we have to pedal on our bike. There can't always be a headwind, right? This "invisible" drag results...