The Solar Decathlon
Picture 1 of 6
Tourists who wandered onto the National Mall in Washington D.C. this past weekend got a surprise: a solar-powered suburb appeared to have sprung up overnight. The two neat rows of houses were part of the Solar Decathlon, a competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy that invites university students to design and build houses that aren't just solar-powered and energy efficient, but also comfortable, marketable, and aesthetically pleasing. Twenty teams of university students took up the challenge, and winners were announced yesterday. Click through the slide show for the victors and some highlights of the competition.
All photos: Stefano Paltera / U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon
October 13th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
This is really cool but I’m pretty sure the last one isn’t University of Louisiana, I think you have it mixed up with one of the others.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:26 am
According to the Dept of Energy, that’s the U of Louisiana at Lafayette house!
October 14th, 2009 at 10:28 am
The last one has the same clerestory windows as the house in pic 5(which is Louisiana Lafayette).
October 14th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Sir
This is excallent to watch and very educative and useful.
October 21st, 2009 at 10:46 pm
The U.S. Dept of Energy’s 2009 Solar Decathon was such an incredible experience for us. As a graduate student in architecture, I realize the invaluable knowledge we have gained by participating. We are so proud to have gone to this outstanding and prestigious international competition to proudly represent the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Southern Culture, and the State of Louisiana. Bringing home the market viability and people’s choice award really shows that we did our best to meet the needs and desires of the people by designing a home that’s hurricane resistant and culturally-relevant.