DIY Network

Solar Decathlon: Opening Ceremonies / Architecture & Engineering Competitions From "Special Presentation" episode SDL-S

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The pageantry of the opening ceremonies. After examining each house, the judges meet for deliberation before moving on. The University of Texas at Austin takes third place in architecture ... ... while the University of Puerto Rico wins second. The University of Virginia design takes first place -- and 200 points toward the final score. The winner of the engineering competition: the University of Colorado at Boulder. The University of Colorado team's idea of housing all the mechanical features in a "tech pod" (to ultimately increase living space) caught the attention of the judges.

During the ceremonial opening of the Solar Decathlon, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham wishes the teams "... good luck and good weather."


Instead, the first day's weather was drizzly -- but that didn't dampen spirits -- or deter visitors.


Architecture Competition

The first day also marked the first round of judging: architecture. While all categories in the competition have a maximum of 100 points, architecture weighs in heavily -- with a total of 200.


Richard King, Director of the Solar Decathlon, explains the architecture point scale: "We felt that it was so important for these homes to be attractive to the American public."


It takes several hours for judges to make the rounds. Not only do the judges carefully examine the structures, they also have the opportunity to interview students about their respective designs.


After reviewing all of the designs, the judges award the 200 architecture points to the University of Virginia team.


Engineering Competition

After an jubilant acceptance speech by the UVA team, the competition quickly moves on to engineering -- where many students hope to gain points.


Before the competition begins, engineering judge Ron Judkoff explains to each team the criteria being judged: heating; cooling; ventilation; controls and integration; hot water system; solar collection systems and passive features; lighting; and finally, special features.


After carefully examining the functionality of each structure, judge Dr. Richard Hayter says, "We were pleased with both the innovation and the depth of engineering skills that went into this competition."


After awarding the points to the University of Colorado team, the judges' work is done. From this point forward, computers will measure and calculate scores. Sensors will measure each homes performance, gauging everything from light to temperature, as each team performs a variety of household chores.

RESOURCES :

Energy-Efficient Building: The Best of Fine Homebuilding
ISBN: 1561583405
From The Best of Fine Homebuilding book series.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com

Solar Living Source Book: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living
Model: 0916571041
Author: John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor)
(Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, 11th Ed)
Real Goods
Website: www.realgoods.com

The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
ISBN: 0963738321
Author: Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller Chelsea Green Publiishing Company

Efficient Windows
Efficient Windows
Website: www.efficientwindows.org

Solar Decathlon
U.S. Department of Energy
Website: www.solardecathlon.org

Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Website: www.eere.energy.gov

Energy Star®
Website: www.energystar.gov
Energy Star
Website: www.energystar.gov

Photovoltaics
An introduction to photovoltaics, also called PV electricity.
Photovoltaics
Website: www.flasolar.com/photovol_main.php

Solar Buildings
Covers zero-energy building and other solar technologies.
Solar Buildings
Website: www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/