Energy Efficiency Helps 2011 Solar Decathlon Shine

Above Photo: National Mall visitors tour the energy-efficient houses made by college and university teams competing in the Solar Decathlon. (Credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon; Oct 2, 2011.)

Oct. 2, 2011, Washington, D.C. — Teams competing in the 2011 Solar Decathlon incorporated energy efficiency into nearly every aspect of their solar-powered homes.

What is the Solar Decathlon?

Since 2002, the Department of Energy-sponsored Solar Decathlon has been challenging teams of college and university students to design, build and operate full-scale, solar-powered houses.

The competition awards points for efficiency, affordability and usability. This year’s competition featured 19 teams from around the world.

Photo on Right: Overview of Decathlon looking west with Arlington Va. on the left, and the Lincoln Memorial in the background on the right. (Credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon; Sept. 30, 2011.)

Energy Efficiency Built into House Designs

“Energy efficiency was my first priority in building our house,” said Walter Thomas, project engineer for the University of Massachusetts team.  He wasn’t alone.

Collegiate teams incorporated energy efficiency into lighting, appliances, building materials and more. Designs also took advantage of natural heating, lighting and cooling, known as passive design to save energy while providing a high level of comfort for occupants. 

Energy Monitoring Systems Promote Efficiency

Many designs took advantage of the ability to promote behavioral change by making occupants more aware of their own energy use. Houses featured interactive energy monitoring systems, which give occupants real-time energy usage information.

“Being aware of energy use through monitoring empowers changes in behaviors and purchases that save energy,” noted Merrilee Harrigan, the Alliance’s vice president of education. “I’m delighted that energy efficiency plays such a large part in the Solar Decathlon every year.”

Photo on right: Energy Secretary Steven Chu passes by the University of Calgary team’s house during his tour of the Solar Decathlon. (Credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon; Sept. 30, 2011.)

By Alliance Education Intern Aaron Sutch