What is the Solar Decathlon?

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About The Event

An International Competition

The Solar Decathlon is an international competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in partnership with its National Renewable Energy Laboratory. For the 2005 Solar Decathlon, 19 colleges and universities from around the world compete to design, build, and operate a solar-powered house.

10 Contests

On September 29, 2005, the Virginia Tech Solar Decathlon team will transport its house to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The team will compete against 18 other teams in 10 contests over the course of 10 days. The contests range from architecture to heating and cooling, to power lighting and appliances.

10 Contests in Detail

Find out more about each of the 10 Contests, and read Virginia Tech’s detailed responses:

  1. Architecture
  2. Dwelling
  3. Documentation
  4. Communications
  5. Comfort Zone
  6. Appliances
  7. Hot Water
  8. Lighting
  9. Energy Balance
  10. Getting Around

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