University of Massachusetts Dartmouth:
Solar Decathlon
A delightful mix of architecture, engineering and community service
What is the Solar Decathlon?
What It Is
The Solar Decathlon competition is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and its partners, and is held once every two years. The goal of the competition is to explore the feasibility of a sustainable home, with emphasis on solar power. Through research, testing, and experimentation, the team will arrive at a design from which they will construct a predominantly solar home. Over 100,000 people attended the first Solar Decathlon in 2002.
Where It Is
The contest is held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. between the Air & Space Museum and the National Gallery of Art, bounded by 4th and 7th streets.
Who It Is
The competition is sponsored by the Department of Energy. In 2005, 18 colleges and universities, ranging in location from Texas to Spain, are participating:
* California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo
* Carnegie Mellon / University of Pittsburgh / The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
* Concordia University / Université de Montréal
* Cornell University
* Crowder College
* Florida International University
* New York Institute of Technology
* Rhode Island School of Design
* Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
* University of Colorado, Denver and Boulder
* University of Maryland
* University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
* University of Michigan
* University of Missouri-Rolla / Rolla Technical Institute
* University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
* University of Texas at Austin
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
* Washington State University
September 29 - October 19, 2005 (includes building and breakdown)
October 7 - October 16, 2005 (contest)
How the Houses Travel
Each team has its own travel arrangements for its solar home. The UMD Solar Decathlon Project Team will construct our home on the UMD campus in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and then transport it to the competition site in Washington, D.C.
For more information go to the Solar Decathlon website.
Last updated: Tuesday, June 7, 2005 10:18 PM
The Solar Decathlon is a project of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and private-sector sponsors BP, the the DIY Network, the American Institute of Architects, the National Association of Home Builders, and Sprint.
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