From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report. Delft University’s Nuon Solar Team, from the Netherlands, has clinched the 2014 Sasol Solar Challenge title. Ten solar powered cars managed to complete the race, crossing the finish line at the end of the eight-day, Pretoria to Cape Town race. Irma Venter has the story.

Irma Venter:
The year’s solar challenge was a distance, and not a speed race. Powered only by the sun, participants had to log as many kilometers as possible.

Dominating the challenge from the start, the Nuon Solar Team clocked a total distance of 4 227.8 km, nearly 1 500 km more than their closest competitor.

Coming in second, the Anadolu Solar Team, from Turkey, clocked a total distance of 2 733.1 km.

This was followed by a battle for third place which, in the end, was secured by the team from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with a distance of 2 418.3 km covered.

Following closely was the North West University, with a total distance of 2360.6 km.

The University of Johannesburg team came in fifth, but received the technology and innovation award.

This team built a smaller car with more advanced solar panels. However, this move failed to upset the Dutch world champs, who were race favourites from the start of the 2014 event.

Maragon Private School held their own against participating university teams. Breaking the record for the furthest distance travelled by a high school, the team came in sixth place with a total distance of 1 268.5 km.

Shannon de Ryhove:
Other news making headlines this week: DWT Pumps expects good sales growth for its electronic water-pressure pumpl

Pumps, motors and electronic systems manufacturer DWT Pumps, Motors & Electronics had sold more than 500 e.sybox pump systems locally, with sales expected to increase owing to the system’s ease of use and energy efficiency.

DWT Pumps GM Hein Botha

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.