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Orange County Great Park, Irvine, California
October 8-18, 2015
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Solar Decathlon Press Room

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon press room provides contacts, information, and resources to members of the media who cover Solar Decathlon-related news.

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is an award-winning program that challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

The competition shows consumers how to save money and energy with affordable clean energy products that are available today. The Solar Decathlon also provides participating students with hands-on experience and unique training that prepares them to enter our nation's clean energy workforce.

The first Solar Decathlon was held in 2002; the competition has since occurred biennially in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015. The next Solar Decathlon is planned for 2017.

Open to the public free of charge, the Solar Decathlon gives visitors the opportunity to tour the houses, gather ideas to use in their own homes, and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money today.

Press Resources

These Solar Decathlon resources provide important information for members of the press. See the Solar Decathlon:

Background Information

Explore these links for additional information about the Solar Decathlon:

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Team overview Blog post
California State University, Sacramento Team overview Blog post
Clemson University Team overview Blog post
Crowder College and Drury University Team overview Blog post
Mass/Central America: Western New England University, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá and Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana Team overview Blog post
Missouri University of Science and Technology Team overview Blog post
New York City College of Technology Team overview Blog post
Team NY Alfred: State University of New York at Alfred College of Technology and Alfred University Team overview Blog post
Stevens Institute of Technology Team overview Blog post
Texas/Germany: The University of Texas at Austin and Technische Universitaet Muenchen Team overview Blog post
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Team overview Blog post
University of California, Davis Team overview Blog post
Team Orange County: University of California, Irvine; Chapman University; Irvine Valley College; and Saddleback College Team overview Blog post
West Virginia/Rome: West Virginia University and University of Roma Tor Vergata Team overview Blog post

Media Contacts

The contact information provided below is for media only. If you are not a member of the media but would like additional information, please see the Solar Decathlon contacts page. If you are a member of the media and have questions about the Solar Decathlon, please contact:

Chris Kielich
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Department of Energy
Phone: 202-586-0581

John Horst
U.S. Department of Energy
Phone: 720-356-1580.