Solar Decathlon 2015 kicks off

Collegiate teams involving hundreds of students from around the world showcase energy-efficient, solar-powered houses for the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015.

“These inspiring collegiate teams show the world how energy-efficient building design and clean energy products available today can help families and businesses save money by saving energy,” said US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. “The event provides student competitors with unique real-world training to become the clean energy workforce of the future and helps ensure that our nation remains competitive in the global race for clean energy.”

Student teams in the 2015 competition hail from five countries across two continents, including teams from universities in the United States, Germany, Honduras, Italy, and Panama. Over the next nine days, they will compete in 10 contests that gauge each house’s performance, livability, and affordability. The affordability contest rewards teams that build houses with estimated costs at or below $250,000.

The teams will have to perform a variety of everyday tasks, including cooking, laundry, and washing dishes, to test the livability and energy use of their houses. The winner of the overall competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

Thousands are expected to visit the houses, which will be open to the public free of charge on eight days over two weekends: from Thursday, October 8, through Sunday, October 11, and again from Thursday, October 15, through Sunday, October 18, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm PDT. Visitors are able to tour the houses, gather ideas to use in their own homes, and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money today. The overall winner will be announced on Saturday, October 17, at 9:45 am PDT. This Solar Decathlon is the seventh such competition since 2002.