Nordlys
Who we are
Nordlys NTNU is a brand-new group of students at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) with the goal of participating and excelling in the world of Solar Racing. Solar Racing involves covering long distances as quickly as possible using only solar energy. In the world championship, the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, student teams from around the world traverse the 3000 kilometers from Darwin to Adelaide in the Australian Outback with an average speed of 90 km/h! To this day, no Norwegian teams have attempted this.
We aim to compete in Australia as early as 2027, with the ambitious goal of reaching the top ten teams. Our long-term goal is to become one of the top performing teams in the world, with our ultimate objective of showing Norway the possibilities of clean and renewable energy. When we have proven ourselves on the international arena, we aim to bring Solar Racing itself to Norway by driving the length of Norway using pure solar energy.
To read more about the team and it's respective groups click here
Our values
Theres nothing more valuable than creating something new. Through the project, we wish to set focus on solutions to sustainability, facilitate for multidisciplinary teamwork, and drive a passion for innovation and technology through enthusiasm and dedication.
Sustainability
Nordlys believes that a sustainable society is a prerequisite for a prosperous future. Our generation's way of life should not come at the cost of future generations’ welfare. We support the UNs sustainable development goals, and directly work towards 8 of them.
Teamwork
Teamwork is necessary to achieve change and innovation. To work together in a fellowship will provide inspiration, safety and engagement. Nordlys wishes to facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration, comfort in a team-setting and that all team members feel that they are contributing to the project.
Passion
Passion signifies that our members are deeply committed to Nordlys’ mission, goals and the tasks they themselves perform. Nordlys’ encourages its members to approach their work with dedication and enthusiasm, and believe that this will be the driving factor in our innovation and problem solving.
Solar Racing
To solve the problems of tomorrow, nothing is more important than thinking new. Solar racing pushes the limit of technology and solar energy innovation through competition. Who can drive the fastest and get to the finish line before running out of energy?
Watch moreFrequently Asked Questions
No, you do not get school credits for being a member of Nordlys. However, you do gain valuable hands-on experience working on a real engineering project and participation in a technical organization like Nordlys can also be a great addition to your CV!
The time commitment varies throughout the year depending on the project phase.
Typically we estimate that members contribute around 16-20 hours per week, with higher intensity during build, testing and competition periods, and lower intensity during exam periods.
Each project period typically starts in the fall and concludes after a competition the following year. The workflow is loosely divided into three main phases:
- Design phase - developing concepts and engineering solutions
- Build phase - manufacturing and assembling the car
- Testing and competition phase - validating the performance and competing
No, you do not need to have any prior experience to join Nordlys.
We provide onboarding, training and continuous support from experienced team members. While relevant experience is a bonus, motivation and willingness to learn are the most important qualities you need to join the team.
Nordlys is funded through financial support and in-kind contributions from our sponsors. These partnerships are essential for enabling the development and prduction of our solar cars. You can learn more about our partners on our partners page.
Nordlys is governed by three main bodies:
- The Annual Meeting - the highest authority within the organization, the annual meeting is attended by all members of Nordlys
- The Board - responsible for day-to-day management of the team and projects
- The Alumnni Board - (being set into motion in August 2026) provides continuity and strategic support for Nordlys' long term goals
Yes. We have built one solar car so far, Lumholtz, which is currently being updated to meet the regulations of the iLumen European Solar Challenge. The car is not currently operational due to these upgrades but is expected to be ready around summer 2026.
We have also already started designing some systems for our next-generation car, which we intend to have completed in summer 2027.
Solar racing is an exiting and innovative field focused on advancing sustainable transportation. Solar racing events higlight and promote innovation in electric vehicles, energy efficiency, and sustainable technology.
Being a member of Nordlys gives you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a real engineering project, develop technical and teamwork skills, work in a multidisciplinary environment, and cntribute to a meaningful and innovative product. And on top of all that, it's great fun!
Still have unanswered questions? Feel free to contact us through the contact sheet below.
Do you want to come in contact with us? The easiest way is to fill in the form!