SOLAR DECATHLONChristina D’Amico

US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

The Solar Decathlon is a competition and challenge between teams to design and build houses that are solar powered, energy efficient, and cost effective.

The winner is the team who has best incorporated affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence, while all having ideal energy production and maximum efficiency.

The Solar Decathlon occurs every 2 years.

The 2013 competition includes teams from the following colleges:Arizona State University and The

University of New MexicoCzech Republic: Czech Technical UniversityKentucky/Indiana: University of Louisville, Ball State University and University of KentuckyMiddlebury CollegeMissouri University of Science and TechnologyNorwich UniversitySanta Clara UniversitySouthern California Institute of Architecture and California Institute of TechnologyStanford UniversityStevens Institute of Technology

Team Alberta: University of CalgaryTeam Austria: Vienna University of TechnologyTeam Capitol DC: The Catholic University of America, George Washington University, and American UniversityTeam Ontario: Queen's University, Carleton University, and Algonquin CollegeTeam Texas: The University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community CollegeTidewater Virginia: Hampton University and Old Dominion UniversityUniversity of Nevada Las VegasThe University of North Carolina at CharlotteUniversity of Southern CaliforniaWest Virginia University

SOLAR DECATHLON CONTESTS

Each decathlon has a set of 10 contests worth 100 points each.

Each term earns points from task completion, monitored performance, and Jury evaluation.

The ten contests include: Architecture Contest Market Appeal Contest Engineering Contest Communications Contest Affordability Contest Comfort Zone Contest Hot Water Contest Appliances Contest Home Entertainment Contest Energy Balance Contest

SOLAR DECATHLON CONTESTS

The Architecture Contests focuses on Architectural Elements, Holistic Design, Lighting, and Inspiration.

While the Engineering Contest focuses on Functionality, Efficiency, Innovation, and Reliability

2013 SOLAR DECATHLON

The next Solar Decathlon will be in 2013 at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine California.

2013 SOLAR DECATHLON

Rules and Regulations Lots are 78 ft (23.8 m) east to west by

60 ft (18.3 m) north to south. Up to 18 in. (45.7 cm) of vertical

elevation change may exist across a lot. Design and plan accordingly.

Track-mounted equipment, such as vehicles, cranes, and forklifts, are prohibited at all times.

2011 SOLAR DECATHLON HOUSES

Appalachian State University

2011 SOLAR DECATHLON HOUSES

University Of Illinois

2011 SOLAR DECATHLON

The Southern California Institute of Architecture and California Institute of Technology

CITATION

All facts and photos from http://www.solardecathlon.gov/