Solar Decathlon 2009

I checked out the Solar Decathlon 2009 at the National Mall on Tuesday. It's a competition in which 20 teams of college and university students compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house.

I found a large enthusiastic crowd at this year's decathlon with long lines waiting to get into each house, in contrast to two years ago where the crowd was sparse at best.

The houses impressed. Passive solar principles and photovoltaic blended nicely together, and the choice of building materials was innovative and back-to-the-earth at the same time.

One of the best aspects of this was seeing college students working on a solution to a critical world problem.

Cheers!

Penn State

University of Illinois (current point leader)

California

Please read more.

SOLAR DECATHLON