In 2012 Integral was awarded the highest ICT award in Asia Pacific for our innovative ClimateSmart Home Service solution. Inspired by what had been achieved, we set out to develop and grow the next generation of engaged students with a passion for sustainable engineering. We did this through a collaboration of some of Queensland’s best technology and engineering organisations, including students from UQ and QUT and led by Integral staff. We wanted to build a car — but not a normal car. We wanted to build a solar electric racing car — one that could cross Australia and compete with the world’s best, using only Australian talent, technology and ideas.

From a standing start and in just over 12 months, the Integral led team exceeded all expectations. This complex vehicle, the Arrow1, sat on pole position for the 2013 World Solar Challenge in what was our first ever race. It outperformed 41 other teams from all over the planet including world class institutions like Stanford and Cambridge Universities. It lapped cars from teams with 40 times the budget, 10 times more team members and junior F1 drivers behind the wheel. It travelled at 126kph using nothing but the sun for power.