Description
We Are Team AgniRath: Driving Toward World Solar Challenge 2025
We are Team AgniRath, the solar car racing team from the Centre for Innovation, IIT Madras, aiming to represent India in the World Solar Challenge (WSC) 2025 in Australia. Comprising 42 dedicated undergraduate students from diverse engineering disciplines, our team is united by a shared vision—to become the first Indian team to successfully complete this grueling 3,000 km race across the Australian outback.
Driven by purpose and fueled by innovation, we work tirelessly by putting in 35,000+ man hours —to push the boundaries of sustainable mobility and cutting-edge engineering. Having completed the design and prototyping phase, we are now in the final stages of manufacturing our next-generation solar car.
As the competition approaches, we are in urgent need of funds to manage the logistical requirements essential for our participation. We seek your support in covering key aspects, including the shipment of our solar car, travel arrangements for our team members, accommodation in Australia, and other race-related logistics. Together we can achieve the goal of becoming the only Indian team to win the World Solar Challenge.
Aagneya
Aagneya, named after the "Son of Agni"—symbolizing valor, power, and the boundless energy of fire—is our new solar car set to participate in the World Solar Challenge 2025.
We have integrated significant advancements into Aagneya, including:
- Using carbon fiber for the aeroshell to reduce car weight by 40%.
- Manufacturing solar modules with an efficiency of 24%.
- Implementing data-driven optimization models for race strategy and multi-body simulations.
Our First Achievement- Participating in World Solar Challenge 2023 with Aarush
In 2023, we built Aarush, a 5m-long solar car capable of cruising at 75 km/hr, featuring a glass fiber aeroshell we built ourselves, a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, and a drag coefficient of just 0.12. Aarush also incorporated flexible solar modules with 21% efficiency and a patented heat sink, making it highly energy-efficient.
Although a technical issue during scrutineering prevented us from officially racing, witnessing the exceptional engineering displayed by 40+ international teams with over 20 years of experience was incredibly inspiring and has kept us motivated to aim even higher for 2025.
About the World Solar Challenge
The World Solar Challenge is the world’s greatest innovation and engineering challenge, where cars must cover 3,000 km from Darwin to Adelaide within 5 days, solely on solar energy. The harsh conditions of the Australian Outback—high temperatures, unpredictable weather, heavy crosswinds, and wildlife—challenge teams to build highly efficient solar cars.It’s a unique opportunity for us as undergraduates to work on real-world engineering challenges, gain global exposure, and showcase our innovations.
Our progress
Within a span of just two months, we successfully developed a fully functional prototype to rigorously test our mechanical and electrical systems ahead of the final build. The prototype was showcased during the IITM Open House event, where it was demonstrated in the presence of Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
After several rounds of comprehensive testing and design validation, we commenced the manufacturing of our final car. We anticipate the completion of our fully functional final car by mid-May.
Support Our Journey to the World Solar Challenge 2025
A significant portion of our financial requirements is allocated to logistics, which includes the shipment of our car to and from Australia, travel and accommodation for a 40-member team, as well as race-related logistics such as renting trailers, escort vehicles etc. Your support is vital in helping us to participate at the WSC’25. Together, we can push the boundaries of innovation and revolutionize the future of sustainable mobility in India. Join us on our journey to represent India at the World Solar Challenge 2025!
Team AgniRath - World Solar Challenge 2025
- No.of Donors : 6
