DIY Network

Solar Decathlon: Computerized Judging / Sharing Solar Innovations From "Special Presentation" episode SDL-S

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After the sensors collect the data, computers change it from quantitative measures to qualitative -- comparing the results in the form of spreadsheets, bar charts and graphs (above) While monitoring takes place, the students take the opportunity to educate the public about solar energy. A vacuum tube is one way to collect solar energy. As the sun heats the copper fins inside the tube, the fluid within vaporizes and transfers heat energy to a manifold (above) containing water. Curious crowds were so overwhelming in the Solar Village, one visitor said "you could barely move from house to house."

Day 10 of the competition heats up! Although the University of Colorado and the University of Virginia teams lead, Auburn and Virginia Tech seek their own day in the sun and are pacing just behind the leaders.

The decathletes are spending the next five days living a solar-powered lifestyles. In order for the computers to score the remaining categories, the students must demonstrate the each home's capability of using solar power to:

• Cook meals
• Power laundry appliances
• Heat water
• Cool food
• Run a computer and television for 6 hours each day
• Keep lights burning

Sensors and data collectors strategically place in each home collects information on relative humidity, lighting levels, exact temperatures and the performance of all solar panels. This information is collected in the "Tech Trailer" run by DOE engineers.

While the sensors are collecting data, the students share their innovations and solar discoveries with visitors:

• A refrigerator is a good place to make energy gains in any home. The solar-powered refrigerators used in many of the houses only use the same amount of power as a 40w light bulb!

• Solar thermal panels are used to heat water. Some teams opted for flat-plate collectors, although others selected more innovative methods. The University of Virginia team housed their solar collectors in the walls, while students at the University of Texas at Austin and Carnegie-Mellon University selected vacuum tubes.

• Many teams used radiant heating -- created by running pipes filled with solar-heated water underneath the surface -- to warm the floors.

And the public seemed primed to learn about solar energy! The crowds were a great surprise to the teams and to the event organizers. Most houses averaged an enthusiastic 600 visitors per hour!

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/