German team wins US based solar competition

WASHINGTON, DC, US, October 22, 2007. A German university was the best overall solar home built in the U.S. capital for the Solar Decathlon.

Technische Universität Darmstadt was one of 20 college and university teams from the U.S., Puerto Rico, Spain and Canada which designed, built and operated attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered homes near the Congress. Students competed in ten areas, ranging from architecture, livability and comfort to how well the homes provided energy for space heating and cooling, hot water, lighting and appliances.

Technische Universität Darmstadt earned 888 points out of a possible 1,200 to win the competition, followed by University of Maryland with 872 points and Santa Clara University with 861 points. Darmstadt was one of seven teams to score a perfect 100 points in the Energy Balance contest.

“The Solar Decathlon is a great demonstration of the ways in which technology, science and design can be blended in the production of net-zero-energy homes,” says U.S. energy secretary Samuel Bodman. “Promoting the early commercialization of solar and other energy efficient technologies will help secure America’s clean energy future.”

Of the ten contests, communications, as well as lighting, comfort zone, appliances, hot water, energy balance, and ‘getting around,’ are each worth 100 points. The architecture contest is worth 200, engineering and market viability are worth 150 each and are scored subjectively.  Performance was measured and points were awarded daily through the two-week competition.

The Solar Decathlon complements the Solar America Initiative, which seeks to make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional electricity by 2015. The U.S. Department of Energy is major sponsor, with its National Renewable Energy Laboratory; the American Institute of Architects; the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers; the National Association of Homebuilders; the U.S. Green Building Council; and private-sector sponsors BP and Sprint.

The Solar Decathlon homes are net-zero-energy, yield zero carbon, and include high-tech solutions to save money for consumers without sacrificing comfort, convenience or aesthetics. Each house must also generate sufficient surplus energy to power an electric vehicle.

The application process for the 2009 Solar Decathlon has already started.

“The Solar Decathlon is a great demonstration of the ways in which technology, science and design can be blended in the production of net zero energy homes,” Badman explained. “But the Solar Decathlon is also a part of a larger effort to educate the public about technologies potential to change the way America consumes energy.”

Click here for more info...

To receive news and features like this direct to your inbox sign-up for the Refocus Weekly enewsletter.

Simply register your details to receive a fortnightly roundup of the latest news from the renewables industries direct to your inbox.

If you would like to advertise in the enewsletter please contact our sales team.

If you have some news for the renewables industry or would like to comment on any of the articles on this site, contact our editorial team.

You can also access the full list of contacts here.