This week I am covering a wonderful sustainability subject and event, the National Solar Decathlon, held on the Washington D.C. National Mall each year and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. The event helps promote team design and construction, energy efficiency and zero energy house education awareness by being on exhibit to the public on our National Mall, and even helps advance technology.
Unfortunately, the University of Colorado, who has won the competition twice in the past, did not participate this year due to "cost constraints". I was able to tour their winning home following the decathlon a few years ago.
There are so many aspects of this event that make it outstanding. One, that it is planned and executed by young adults. Two, these students are creating and experimenting with techniques that hold promise for the future of urban and rural settings everywhere. Three, the design opportunities, which should never be wasted, are innovative and cutting-edge.
TEAM GERMANY (1st Place Winner):
TEAM ILLINOIS (2nd Place Winner): TEAM CALIFORNIA (3rd Place winner): Refract House TEAM PENN STATE: TEAM VIRGINIA TECH: TEAM IOWA: TEAM MINNESOTA: TEAM WISCONSIN: TEAM BOSTON: TEAM ARIZONA: TEAM OHIO: TEAM LOUISIANA: TEAM CORNELL: TEAM ALBERTA, CANADA: TEAM ONTARIO, CANADA: TEAM SPAIN: Congratulations and good luck to every one of these participants! --Kalpa