Go Solar Go Dot Com : Solar Decathlon 2009 Teams Selected

Solar Decathlon 2009 Teams Selected

by DeanD — Monday, February 4th, 2008

The Solar Decathlon, which takes place in Washington, D.C., is a competition between 20 teams of college students majoring in architecture and engineering. The Decathlon showcases high-tech solar homes built by the teams, who stem from universities across the United States and Europe. The solar homes must operate completely off grid. They can garner points in 10 categories: architecture, engineering, market viability, communications, comfort zone, appliances, hot water, lighting, energy balance, and "getting around." Once they are completed, the public can take a walking tour through each of the homes.

Homes completed for past Decathlons are recognized for being innovative as well as luxurious, comfortable, and even beautiful. They have the capacity for everyday necessities, such as cooking, dishwashing, and laundry, while displaying unique architectural elements such as waterfalls and wraparound shutters. Participating students learn about building and design, and also how to raise money for their projects. The event helps to encourage support for solar power in future homes.

Teams for the 2009 Solar Decathlon have just been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and are listed on the DOE website.

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