Each team's design must collect and store enough solar energy to power an electric car. As part of the challenge, the teams must make a trip to a local grocer to shop for supplies for the meal they must cook later. Other teams choose to drive additional laps around the city to win more points. (These particular solar-powered electric cars can go 30 miles on a single charge and take about 8 hours to recharge.) When the students return to the village, they must prepare a meal that includes one heated and one chilled item. Some elect to do full meals; others selected microwavable meals during the shopping trip. Sensors checking each home's temperature remain in place, causing many students to raid the refrigerator before cooking, then move the meals outside immediately after preparation. After the "drive time" and cooking events, five leaders emerge: the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Colorado, Auburn and the University of Maryland. Nearing the end of the Decathlon, friendship, admiration and respect have replaced any intense rivalry, and the students engage in their own version of a "pep rally" before the awards presentation. Robyn Hladish of the University of Maryland says, "Auburn and Colorado were two of our favorite teams. We all said we wouldn't be upset if we lost to either of them. We have great respect for their innovative designs." It's time to award the winning scores! Assistant Secretary of Energy David Garmin announces, "There's a little drama here as we wait -- it's very close!" Finally, the scores are announced: 3rd place - Auburn University (with a design expressing traditional southern comfort) 2nd place - The University of Virginia (who dared to be different) 1st place - The University of Colorado at Boulder (a classically contemporary design that won with 875 points, narrowly beating UVA) Upon winning, Matthew Henry, of the University of Colorado team says, "We came to teach people -- that was our main goal from the beginning." But, Henry is quick to express that victory has made the Solar Decathlon experience even brighter. And all students -- with designs that marry beautiful design with efficient solar power -- have proven that the future is now.
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/
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