This summer University Engineering and Architectural students are putting their energy into creating an energy efficient solar home for the 2009 Solar Decathlon.
The University has participated in two of the four decathlon events. The purpose of the competition is to design and build a house reliant completely on solar energy.
“The goal in terms of the competition is obviously to win first place,” said Patrick Chapman, Principal Investigator for the team.
The University is creating their house, Gable Home, to meet Passive House standards.
“The standard requires that we could heat or cool the house for an entire year for about $75,” Chapman said.
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The competition is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in partnership with its National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
The house is currently on the south campus, close to Turner hall. A permanent location is yet to be determined.
