Held every 2 years since 2001, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon challenges 20 international student teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.
Like the Olympic decathlon, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon consists of 10 contests:
Architecture, Market Appeal, Engineering, Communications, Affordability, Comfort Zone, Hot Water, Appliances, Home Entertainment, Energy Balance
These are designed to gauge how well the houses perform and how livable and affordable they are. They include task completion and juried evaluation. Each contest is worth a maximum of 100 points for a total of 1000 points. For more information, visit www.SolarDecathlon.gov
Who is in the Solar Decathlon 2011?
In addition to Team Canada, the Solar Decathlon 2011 includes student teams from China (Tongji University), Belgium (Ghent University), New Zealand (Victoria University of Wellington), Appalachian State, Florida (2), Middlebury College, Ohio State University, Parsons New School fo Design/Stevens Institute of Technology, Purdue University, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Illinoius, Maryland, and Tennessee. Team Hawaii recently withdrew from this year’s competition.
Competition Site
The Solar Decathlon 2011 will be held on the West Potomac Park of the historic National Mall in the heart of Washington D.C., from September 23rd – October 2nd, 2011. Read More.