Other Projects

Additional Projects

What about the Test Home we built on campus as we figured out our design and technology strategies for the Solar Decathlon Contest Home? Then, there is that home we've been working on in Tennessee...Read on and learn more about these additional projects that came about from our participation in the Solar Decathlon.

The Net-Zero Energy (NZE) Home, Plymouth, MA – Project #2

We are building a 1000 square-foot Net-Zero Energy (NZE) home in Plymouth, MA, in collaboration with HFH of Greater Plymouth. In February, we participated in their annual fundraising gala and we made a presentation at their annual meeting in March. The land has been secured and we have applied for a grant of $15K, which will bring our total to $25K: Twenty percent of what a HFH home costs in Plymouth, MA. We have not reached the design phase yet, but the goal is to complete this home within the next two years, with construction to begin Spring 2006.

The Net-Zero Energy (NZE) Home, Lenoir City, TN – Project #3   COMPLETED !

Our third home is a two-story 600 square-foot home being built in Lenoir City, TN, under the leadership of Jeff Christian, Director of Building Technology for Oak Ridge National Laboratories, and Linda Morrison, Resource Coordinator for Loudon County Habitat For Humanity. Our team worked on this home for one week during spring break 2004.

The Test Home A, North Dartmouth, MA – Project #4

Our fourth building project is the 8X12 two-story test home being built at our test site on campus directly behind the Textile Building, on the raised area of land near the sculpture.It is a test home because it is being designed and constructed simultaneously while we determine which design and technologies we will use for the Contest Home. Ever resourceful, we are working with a local client who would like to exchange resources for this finished home.

This 96 square-foot home is two-stories, designed with structural insulated panels, radiant floor flat-plate collector solar hot water, and powered with both photovoltaic and wind electricity. The roof is built with Crowe Building Technologies shingles and will have 6 BP 4175B panels.

The BP 4175B's mechanical dimensions: length: 62.8" width: 31.1" depth: 1.97" weight: 34 pounds
frame: bronze anodized aluminum alloy type 6063T6 Universal frame

We will utilize Professional Solar Products' rails and clamps as well as tile tracks.

The Test Home B (formerly the "Grid-in-a-Box") – Project #5

Our fifth building project is a small 8X12 two-story structure. Initially called the "Grid-in-a-Box," we intended it to house the infrastructure (electricity, potable water, wastewater retention, cable and telephone) for the code compliant Contest Home. However, we have abandoned this idea, as all energy sources must be contained within the Contest Home. We have decided to use this Test Home to train future decathletes.

Last updated: Friday, June 10, 2005 8:36 PM