DOE Solar Decathlon 2009
Smart Kids Assuring Our Green Future
Currently underway on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., twenty teams are competing in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar Decathlon 2009. Also sponsored and managed by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Solar Decathlon is an international event in which DOE challenges university teams to design and build homes that run entirely on solar energy. Each team received $100,000 from DOE to uniquely design, build and operate an energy efficient, fully solar-powered home for this unique competition. The teams ship their partially constructed homes to the National Mall. Then they assemble their completely self-sufficient solar powered houses, showcasing energy-efficient amenities and smart home systems that provide reduced carbon emissions without sacrificing the comfort of modern conveniences. Afterwards competing in ten challenges including architecture, engineering, market viability, communications, comfort, appliances, water heating, lighting, home entertainment, as well as a special two-part net metering competition, during which teams are not only rated on their energy production, but receive a bonus for producing more energy than their home consumes.
Schedule of events :
Oct. 8-16 — Teams compete in 10 contests
Oct. 9-13 and 15-18 — Houses are open to the public
Oct. 19-21 — Teams disassemble their houses
Free and open to the public from October 9-13 and 15-18, the homes will be open for tours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Over 800 student competitors from the United States, Canada, Spain, and Germany, who have been designing and building since their teams were chosen two years ago. Students will have to perform everyday tasks, such as cooking, doing the laundry, and even washing dishes, to test the energy efficiency of their homes. To learn more about the teams and their houses.
This is DOE’s fourth Solar Decathlon competition since premiering in 2002 with subsequent competitions in 2005 and 2007. On average, each Solar Decathlon competition has drawn more than 100,000 visitors to the National Mall. The competition focuses on cutting edge energy efficient and renewable energy innovation while providing a unique green jobs training opportunity for each of the students.
The colleges and universities competing in the 2009 Solar Decathlon are:
Cornell University
Iowa State University
The Ohio State University
Penn State
Rice University
Team Alberta (University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, Alberta College of Art + Design, Mount Royal College)
Team Boston (Boston Architectural College, Tufts University)
Team California (Santa Clara University, California College of the Arts)
Team Missouri (Missouri University of Science and Technology, University of Missouri)
Team Ontario/BC (University of Waterloo, Ryerson University, Simon Fraser University)
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Universidad de Puerto Rico
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
The University of Arizona
University of Illinois
University of Kentucky
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Minnesota
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Virginia Tech
The overall winner will be announced on October 16.
…. as the green future unfolds.
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Tags: climate, energy, environment, Everything Solar, Going Green, green, National Mall, Simon Fraser University, Solar decathlon, Technology, united states, United States Department of Energy, Washington DC, water, wind
October 11th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Wow this looks interesting, is this an open to the public event?
October 11th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Hi Linda…helping Theresa isolate your problem…I just left a message on Barb’s blog and it didn’t show up…maybe she’s reading them first?
Judy´s last blog ..Who’s The Idiot Now?
October 11th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Hi Robert …. They are open to the public and is free for viewing and tours on the dates given…
Hi Judy … Yes, she reserves them. I can comment on hers but not yours. Hopefully, you guys will figure it out.
October 11th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
First, this post is awesome! If anything is going to save us it will be the upcoming generation. Fingers crossed!
Also it’s great to see Judy’s comment (thanks Judy!) – even if sorry I’ve gone off topic
Diane Scott´s last blog ..A Big Thanks To So Many
October 11th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
This is great to see! Can’t wait to see who wins!
Barbara´s last blog ..The Treasure Of Our National Parks
October 12th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Hi Diane … It is good to see Judy as well!
Hi Barbara … It will be interesting as there are many that are truly winners so far.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I agree that it’s critical for the next and future generations to be focused on the environment and planet.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Hi Maureen … they will be implementing or maintaining what we implement now.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
[...] DOE Solar Decathlon 2009 (forcedgreen.com) [...]
October 12th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Hey Linda!
Nice to see you at Boardman Country! No, Russia is not in sight from here, but I do know from where you CAN see it.
Also, helping Diane with her test.
Brad´s last blog ..Let’s Loudly Limit The “Limitless”!
October 12th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I saw a documentary on this a few years ago and I would love to go tour the homes they’ve built!
corrin´s last blog ..The Power of Giving – Doing Good Through Social Media
October 12th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
If I were betting on the architecture and engineering prizes I would take Virginia Tech.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Hi Brad … LOL! Oh well! Thanks for doing the test!
Hi Corrin … Me too! I think it would be great to see!
Hi solarglobalgreen … No favorites, now…. we have to give all a chance..
October 13th, 2009 at 12:33 am
What an interesting contest, Linda. By the way, did you have any favorite pick for this competition’s winner?
October 13th, 2009 at 5:07 am
Hil Wilson Pon … I do but Like I told solarglobalgreen, no favorites. However, I would pick a Texas university…
October 13th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
How interesting! May the best team win!
October 13th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
What? Washington has no team? Doesn’t the DOE realize that there’s lots of sun east of the Cascades?
Brad´s last blog ..The Next Time You Scream, “It’s A Bee!”
October 14th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Hi Karen … I am rooting for them as well!
Hi Brad … Maybe they do not trust the timing of Mt. Ranier!
October 16th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
This sounds so interesting, and just the sort of thing I’d love to see. Sadly, far too far – I’d waste more energy getting there than they manage to save.
A. @ A Changing Life´s last blog ..The Camargue
October 16th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Hey Linda! I know you’re super busy getting ready for the census upcoming, but I stopped by as my other “persona” to put in my two cents. I think this post gives me a LOT more faith and confidence in the generations to come. When you don’t look further than your own front day, you tend to forget just how many others there are out there that do give a damn about the planet and saving it. Again, thanks!
Theresa´s last blog ..A Big Thanks To So Many
October 17th, 2009 at 12:31 am
This is an interesting topic and it is wonderful to know that the children of the future will be making bigger changes.
October 17th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Hi A … LOL! I know what you mean! I would love to see it as well as I know I would learn alot!
Hi Theresa …. Thank You! There are so many ideas, innovations and just plain every day discovery that it is just fun to watch it unfold.
October 17th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Hi Caroline … They will either see/implement the changes during their lifetime.
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:16 am
I really enjoy seeing what the next generation is up to. I know that I sometimes give them too little credit for their brain power and focus on the negatives.
ConnieFoggles´s last blog ..Winners Harry Connick Jr. CD And Sweet Tomatoes Souplantation Meal Passes
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:24 am
Hi Connie … I know what you mean! However, they are certainly using their ideas and ingenuity to incorporate many things into daily lives.