Bay Area Students Power Up For Solar Decathlon 2009

In 2007, engineering students from Santa Clara University wowed many at the Solar Decathlon, a solar competition sponsored by the Department of Energy and held on the Washington Mall. Every other year, the DOE chooses 20 teams to participate in the Decathlon, and Santa Clara students will be on-hand once again in 2009.

Two years ago, the students beat out some very prestigious teams. They failed, however, to take top prize due to their heavy focus on function, which was impressive, but too light a focus on design, or looks. This year aims to be different, as students continue to work on their solar-powered Refract House. They have some design help this time around from students at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco.

In addition to being the only team from California, aptly dubbed Team California, they’re also the only team in the competition led by undergraduates.

The Solar Decathlon was inaugurated in 2002 and goes on for three weeks in October, in which 20 teams compete in 10 contests both objective and subjective in nature. Categories include architecture, market viability, lighting design, hot water, appliances and net metering, to name a few. For much of the Decathlon’s duration, the homes will be open to the public as well.

The goals of the Decathlon are to educate the students and raise public awareness about solar energy and its vital impact on building zero-energy homes. Some of the other teams in this year’s competition hail from Spain, Puerto Rico and Canada, as well as universities in Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The Refract House, the progress of which can be followed online, has a project cost of $1.4 million – all raised by the students through donations.

Posted on August 31st in Solar News by Dan.