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AIKO, a global leader in BC (Back Contact) technology, announced a partnership with Solaride, the Baltics’ only solar car team based in Estonia. The collaboration will equip Solaride’s next vehicle with AIKO’s high-efficiency ABC cells, supporting the team’s mission to inspire young engineers and push the boundaries of sustainable mobility.
Founded in Estonia, Solaride has quickly established itself as a rising force in solar racing. In 2025, the team secured second place in the Cruiser class at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia, demonstrating engineering excellence at the highest level. Beyond racing, Solaride runs an academy that inspires young people across Estonia to pursue careers in engineering and entrepreneurship.
For AIKO, this partnership is more than a product supply agreement. It is a two-way commitment built on technology trust, helping transform advanced solar technology into real-world applications that younger generations in Europe can directly experience, trust, and recognize as reliable and sustainable for the future. Supporting young engineers who are building the future of mobility is important to AIKO’s commitment to enabling real-world, zero-carbon applications beyond traditional solar installations.
For a solar car team, every watt counts. Vehicles operate under dynamic conditions including variable sunlight, vibration and rapid charge-discharge cycles. AIKO’s ABC cells, with their proven industry-leading efficiency and superior temperature coefficient, provide a decisive advantage. The full back contact design eliminates front-side metallisation to maximise light absorption, while silver-free metallisation reduces microcrack risk and ensures long-term durability.
“We selected AIKO ABC cells for their high efficiency, excellent thermal performance, and back-contact architecture, which allows us to maximize solar area on the solar car,” said Mihkel Ruul, Chief Engineer of Solaride. “In a race where every square centimetre of solar surface matters, having access to cells that capture more light and perform consistently under real-world conditions is a game-changer.”
This partnership is more than a race collaboration. It is a shared commitment to advance solar innovation, empower the next generation of engineers, and accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon future, demonstrating that meaningful innovation happens when advanced technology is combined with long-term investment in the people shaping tomorrow.
About AIKO
AIKO, a top-ranked solar technology leader, specializing in the research, development, and manufacturing of solar generation products. AIKO provides customers with solar cells, ABC (All Back Contact) modules, and scenario-based packaged solutions. Guided by the mission of "Empowering transformation towards a carbon-free era," AIKO continues to pursue extreme innovation and cutting-edge technology.
For more information, please visit https://aikosolar.com.
About Solaride
Solaride is an interdisciplinary educational program founded in 2020, with the mission of developing future talent and promoting engineering education through a unique hands-on challenge – building solar-powered cars. The project brings together young people from across Estonia, supported by mentors, universities, and partners from both the private and public sectors. Through this collaboration, the Baltic region’s first, second, and third solar cars have already been built, enabling participation in the world’s most prestigious solar car competition – the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia. Solaride is currently in its fourth season, with the team developing and building its fourth solar car.
Our website: https://solaride.ee
