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Solar Decathlon on the Move? DOE Invites Bids on Sites Other than Capital

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

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Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy is considering a move of the semi-annual Solar Decathlon to a site other than Washington, D.C., in 2013.

The event is a competition that challenges collegiate students from around the world to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are affordable, highly energy efficient, attractive, and easy to live in.

As part of an effort to “expand the excitement” generated by the competition and encourage participation from new communities, DOE is inviting venues across the nation to compete for the opportunity to host the event.

Richard King/Solar Decathlon

A view of the 2009 Solar Decathlon’s solar village as it takes shape on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

The Solar Decathlon has been held on the National Mall in Washington since 2002. “The competition and public demonstration has been very successful in showcasing energy-efficient housing and clean energy technologies in the metropolitan Washington area,” DOE said.

More detailed information on the DOE solicitation is available on the FedConnect website by searching for reference number DE-SOL-0003159. More information on the Solar Decathlon is available at www.solardecathlon.org.

Solar Decathlon 2011, the fifth such event since the initial program in 2002, is scheduled for Sept. 23-Oct. 2 at the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington. Open to the public free of charge, the event enables visitors to tour the houses and learn about money-saving clean-energy solutions for their own homes.

The EcoCommercial Building Conference Center, a net-zero-energy demonstration building entered in the 2009 Solar Decathlon. See Model Green House Gets New Location, but Retains Mission.

“The Solar Decathlon challenges the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to become pioneers of clean energy technology and efficient building design,” Chu said. “This is a great opportunity for these talented students to showcase cutting edge technologies that will change the way we build homes and save families money.”

The Solar Decathlon and Solar Decathlon Europe have been the subject of news and feature stories in Durability + Design. These include A Shining Moment for SPF, Model ‘Green’ House, ‘Solar Decathlon’ home features low-VOC paints, and Team from New Zealand Makes Waves.