Borealis and Borouge’s encapsulant film to boost solar powered race car

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Major packaging specialists Borealis and Borouge are sponsoring the Agoria Solar Team in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia, while using their ‘Quentys’ portfolio of PV module encapsulant materials on the roof of the solar race car.

Borealis and Borouge’s said that they had signed a two year sponsorship agreement with the team from KU Leuven University in Belgium in anticipation of being placed higher in the next two races. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

In June 2018, the commercial launch of two new encapsulant film types based on Borealis Quentys polyolefin (PO) grades were claimed to bring further improvements to long-term PV module performance and reliability, as well as greater cost efficiency. These films are now being used to encapsulate and protect the solar cells mounted on the racing car.

“I would be hard pressed to find a better demonstration of the power of solar than this race,” claims Rudi Peters, Borealis Global Value Chain Manager Solar. “Our Quentys encapsulant films will enable this young and ambitious team to power their racing car better and more efficiently than before. What is more, by sponsoring this next generation, we at Borealis are helping foster innovation which will ultimately benefit the entire solar industry.”

“Our testing of the Quentys front and back encapsulant confirmed its stability and ease of use, and its great optical properties mean that losses will be kept to a minimum,” explains Nelis Geurts, the Agoria Solar Team member responsible for production of the car’s module. “It will enable us to exploit every last bit of energy from the sun. We are confident that this partnership with Borealis will help us to be the first solar car to cross the finish line in Australia.” 

The biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is a gruelling, 3,000-km race across challenging outback landscapes, and the ultimate test for a solar-powered vehicle.

Read Next

October 6, 2025
Indian infrastructure company focused on rooftop and ground-based solar power installations, PVV Infra has secured solar power orders worth INR7.9 billion (US$90 million) through two of its subsidiaries. 
October 6, 2025
Indian solar developer ACME Group has established a new subsidiary to manage its renewable equipment manufacturing business, under which it is planning to scale production of TOPCon PV modules.
October 3, 2025
The US solar manufacturing industry is feeling bullish, despite the policy whiplash inflicted over the summer and the increased pressure on US solar supply chains.
October 2, 2025
Spanish waste management company Trabede and energy firm Greening Group will build a solar module recycling plant in Granada, Andalusia, Spain.
October 2, 2025
The Indian Department of Commerce has launched an antidumping investigation on solar encapsulants originating or exported from South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand.
Premium
October 2, 2025
PV Talk: Qcells’ CTO Danielle Merfeld discusses the imminent opening of America’s first integrated c-Si ingot-to-module factory and her belief in solar’s long-term strengths.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland