Éclipse, a solar car team from École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) in Montreal, will compete in the 2026 Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge in Minnesota this July. The team has been building solar cars for over 33 years, since 1992, as indicated by the '92' on their vehicle. Their new car, Éclipse 12, represents their latest engineering effort.
The team constructs nearly the entire car in-house, according to captain Yohann Gourmelen. This vertically integrated approach allows tight control over design and performance. The 2026 race features rule changes that are shaking up competition, though specific details were not disclosed.
Solar car racing serves as a testbed for efficiency and renewable energy technology. Teams like Éclipse push lightweight materials and photovoltaic integration, advancing knowledge that could trickle into commercial electric vehicles. The Minnesota route will challenge endurance across varied terrain.
While solar racing remains niche, it demonstrates the viability of solar-powered transport under real conditions. Éclipse's longevity—over three decades—underscores sustained interest in student-led renewable energy innovation. The event draws university teams from across North America.
A counterargument holds that solar car racing has limited direct impact on mainstream EV adoption, as road-legal vehicles face different constraints around cost, safety, and charging infrastructure. Critics argue the technology remains impractical for daily use outside competition.