SOLAR DECATHLON CELEBRATES GREEN TECH

Two years ago, the US Department of Energy issued a challenge to college students across the globe: Design and build a home that is comfortable, affordable, attractive and produces as much or more energy than it consumes, and bring it to Washington, DC, for a week-long competition. The result was th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Supply House Times 2011-11, Vol.54 (9), p.30
Main Author: Haskell, Erin Holohan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Architecture
College students
Contests
Energy
Green buildings
Heat
Home building
Houses
International
Photovoltaic cells
Solar energy
Teams
Water conservation
Water shortages
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Summary:Two years ago, the US Department of Energy issued a challenge to college students across the globe: Design and build a home that is comfortable, affordable, attractive and produces as much or more energy than it consumes, and bring it to Washington, DC, for a week-long competition. The result was the 2011 Solar Decathlon, the fifth such contest held in North America. From September 23 to October 2, 19 student teams turned Washington's West Potomac Park into an international solar village. The homes reflected each team's native environment and culture, while solving local and global energy challenges. University of Maryland's WaterShed house took first place overall. The team focused on solar energy with photovoltaic and solar thermal arrays, and water conservation with a green roof and surrounding wetland to recycle graywater. Second place went to Purdue's INhome, which blended green technologies with traditional aesthetics. Of the 19 homes in this year's competition, 10 used solar thermal technology.
ISSN:0039-5935
1937-4445