U.S. Department of Energy Announces Solar Decathlon Winners
Teams earned points in 10 categories.
Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 10/23/2007
The results are in for the 2007 Solar Decathlon, an international competition, organized by the U.S. Department of Energy, honoring sustainable living spaces. Twenty teams, spearheaded by universities, were asked to "design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered home."The 2007 first place winner is Technische Universität Darmstadt, based in Germany. University of Maryland is runner up and Santa Clara University is third. Entries were on view October 12-20 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Teams were recognized in 10 categories: Appliances, Architecture, Comfort Zone, Communications, Energy Balance, Engineering, Getting Around, Hot Water, Lighting, and Market Viability. Winners were selected based on a point-based system--1,200 was the highest score. Technische Universität Darmstadt, winner in the architecture and engineering categories, earned a total of 888.45 points; University of Maryland clocked in at 872.45 points; and Santa Clara University landed 860.80 points.
During the closing awards ceremony, Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman pledged over $44 million to support the commercialization and promotion of advanced solar and other clean energy technologies.
"The Solar Decathlon is a great demonstration of the ways in which technology, science and design can be blended in the production of net-zero-energy homes," says secretary Bodman. "Promoting the early commercialization of solar and other energy efficient technologies will help secure America’s clean energy future."
Winners for each category are listed online. Solar Decathlons were previously held in 2002 and 2005.
Images from top: The grand prize winning entry by Technische Universität Darmstadt. Second prize went to University of Maryland. Santa Clara University placed third.
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