Solar Decathlon

http://www.solardecathlon.org/

"Once the finish line is reached and your goal is achieved... Do we not look for the next race to achieve a little bit more!?!"

~M Dieterich

Read below for more information. I applaud the efforts of the the D.O.E. This is a great real world application brought to universities. Which involves inter-discipline collaboration to achieve a finial goal.

With that said. From the prospective of Renew and Sustain everything can be improved upon. As quoted above. This competition has could go a little further. Below is item number 5 of the goals

"To promote an integrated or "whole building design" approach to new construction. This approach differs from the traditional design/build process because the design team considers the interactions of all building components and systems to create a more comfortable building, save energy, and reduce environmental impact."

The whole building design could incorporate more sustainability features. for example

One house used ironwood for flooring this is an Brazilian hardwood which is farm raised... for something to be farm raised in a rainforest. The rainforest has to be slashed and burned and then a monoculture planted... How is that sustainable?

Another used cabinets and counter tops from Ikea or a bed from another cheap depart store. What happened to the whole building design here? All of this money is being spent on alternative energies and reduction of Co2 and other greenhouse gases.

This program has the potential to bring awareness to all aspects "whole building design" and I would like to see more effort on the part of the participates in the category...

Or better yet the Solar Decathlon create a category for the most sustainable building this way it's an item to be achieved.

I do want to make clear the buildings do incorporate a lot of reused and sustainable elements. Most structures are made of recycled or recyclable materials. As a sustainable company I see where and how this can go to the next step with all components inside and out.

Solar Decathlon Information


For three weeks in October 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy will host the Solar Decathlon—a competition in which 20 teams of college and university students compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The Solar Decathlon is also an event to which the public is invited to observe the powerful combination of solar energy, energy efficiency, and the best in home design.

Purpose

The Solar Decathlon brings attention to one of the biggest challenges we face—an ever-increasing need for energy. As an internationally recognized event, it offers powerful solutions—using energy more efficiently and using energy from renewable sources.

The Solar Decathlon has several goals:

1. To educate the student participants—the "Decathletes"—about the benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy and green building technologies. As the next generation of engineers, architects, builders, and communicators, the Decathletes will be able to use this knowledge in their studies and their future careers.

2. To raise awareness among the general public about renewable energy and energy efficiency, and how solar energy technologies can reduce energy usage.

3. To help solar energy technologies enter the marketplace faster. This competition encourages the research and development of energy efficiency and energy production technologies.

4. To foster collaboration among students from different academic disciplines—including engineering and architecture students, who rarely work together until they enter the workplace.

5. To promote an integrated or "whole building design" approach to new construction. This approach differs from the traditional design/build process because the design team considers the interactions of all building components and systems to create a more comfortable building, save energy, and reduce environmental impact.

6. To demonstrate to the public the potential of Zero Energy Homes, which produce as much energy from renewable sources, such as the sun and wind, as they consume. Even though the home might be connected to a utility grid, it has net zero energy consumption from the utility provider.