| 2007 Solar Decathlon: Energy Abounds |
Student-designed solar houses generate huge interest on the National Mall. |
By Richard J. King
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Members of the Maryland team enjoyed their lead on Wednesday, Oct. 17, with two days of active competition remaining. Photo by Kaye Evans-Lutterodt/Solar Decathlon
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The 2007 Solar Decathlon, held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Oct. 12–20, was remarkable in so many ways. It was equal parts of high-tech home show, nail-biting competition, unparalleled learning experience and huge celebration. Never have we seen so much creative, positive energy displayed by those who participated and visited.
Of the 20 competing teams, 11 had participated in at least one earlier Solar Decathlon: Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, New York Institute of Technology, Team Montréal (École de Technologie Supériore, Université de Montréal, McGill University), Texas A&M University, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Maryland, University of Missouri-Rolla, and University of Texas at Austin. The nine Decathlon newcomers were Georgia Institute of Technology, Kansas Project Solar House (Kansas State University and University of Kansas), Lawrence Technological University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Santa Clara University, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Penn State University, University of Cincinnati, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Lessons learned from the previous two Decathlons, in 2002 and 2005, were evident in the quality and workmanship of the 2007 homes.
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About the author: Richard J. King, director of the Solar Decathlon, works in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Buildings Program. Contact him at richard.king@ee.doe.gov.
