The Solar Decathlon, run by the Energy Dept. is a biennial event designed to attract college students toward careers in science and engineering, stimulate “Green” thinking and raise awareness about the development and implementation of new and emerging green technologies.
Hundreds of undergrads have worked for up to two years in planning, designing and building the solar-powered houses, now on display in Washington, D.C. for a week of public exhibition. The solar “village,” like something of science fiction, features dozens of weirdly-shaped structures, with solar panels extending from their roofs.
Most teams are from U.S. schools, but some are from other countries, such as Canada, Germany and Spain. Team California, with students from Santa Clara U and California College of the Arts, set out to design and build a practical house that is compact but comfortable.
The 580 Sq. Ft. house’s solar panels are carefully placed so as not to be seen, but produce up to 150% of the house’s demand on a sunny day. The home features a large deck and other features which show that green living does not have to be a compromise.
Competing can be expensive, although $100,000 from the Energy Department is available. With the California house budgeted at $450,000, students had to get sponsored by interested companies, and then they had to do the design and construction themselves.
But, it seems to be paying off — as of this past Monday, the California team was in the lead, with the judging concluding on Friday.
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