Solar Village in Washington, D.C.
Decathlon shows visitors that solar homes are viable
by Mark E. Heckathorn
American University Interactive Journalism Program
Fall 2007
Photo by Mark Heckathorn
Visitors to the National Mall view the solar
display and visit the 20 solar houses.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Architectural and engineering students from the University of Technology in Darmstadt, Germany, won first place in the 2007 Solar Decathlon that was held on the National Mall and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. The University of Maryland finished second and Santa Clara University placed third. The three teams were among 20 groups from colleges and universities around the world to test their skills in the solar competition.
The decathlon’s goal is to reduce the cost of solar-powered homes and advance solar technology. The teams can earn up to 1,200 points in 10 categories ranging from architecture and engineering to maintaining an inside temperature between 72 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit and how well they communicate the solar message.
Photo by Mark Heckathorn
The team from the Technical University
of Darmstadt in Germany won first
place in the 2007 Solar Decathlon.
The students had to design and build a home that ran solely on solar power to meet all of its energy needs. Large photovoltaic panels were integrated into the houses’ designs to collect energy from the sun to provide electricity, heat and hot water, and even power an electric car they drove around the Mall.
The one-story, 500- to 800-square feet had to meet building and fire codes, and be handicapped accessible.”We give out $100,000 grants now to get their projects underway and it’s about a third of their costs,” said Solar Decathlon Director Richard King of the Department of Energy. The rest of the money comes from the schools or corporate sponsors.
Photo by Mark Heckathorn
Visitors to the 2007 Solar Decathlon
look at a photovoltaic panel.
The contest is changing people’s perception of solar energy.
“We need to change the paradigm thinking of most Americans that solar is here today, it looks good, and it works,” King said. “So you go in these houses and they look very modern. They have all the modern conveniences in them. You want people to know that solar can provide all their energy needs without any sacrifice. I don’t need to put on a sweater in winter or dim my lights or something like that, and they look just fantastic. They are beautiful houses.”
Listen to the history of the Solar Decathlon
Useful Links:
Solar Decathlon Web site
Final results
2009 Solar Decathlon RFP