Solar Decathlon Continues International Expansion with Solar Decathlon Middle East
Thursday, June 18, 2015By Solar Decathlon
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is proud to announce the newest member of its global family: Solar Decathlon Middle East, to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
On June 17, the U.S. Consul General in Dubai Robert Waller and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Vice Chairman Dubai Supreme Council of Energy His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Ahmad Al Tayer signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the development of Solar Decathlon Middle East.
The MOU marks the first step toward a Solar Decathlon competition to be held in Dubai and spells out a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy and Dubai to produce two Solar Decathlon Middle East competitions: the first in 2018 and the second in 2020. A call for applicants for the 2018 competition will be issued this year.
On June 17, representatives from the United States and United Arab Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding to produce two Solar Decathlon Middle East competitions. Shown here are Richard King, Solar Decathlon director, U.S. Department of Energy (standing, second from left); Robert Waller, consul general, U.S. Consulate Dubai; and HE. Saeed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (seated, left to right). (Courtesy of David Duerden, U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi)
“We are excited to welcome a new international competition to the Solar Decathlon family,” said Richard King, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. “Solar Decathlon Middle East will further accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and energy-efficient products and design around the world by reaching a new group of students and an even wider public audience.”
Solar Decathlon Middle East will integrate local and regional characteristics while adopting the same philosophy, principles, and model used by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. His Excellency Al Tayer said he believes Solar Decathlon Middle East will be a unique opportunity to generate incentives among Emirate students to design buildings that are energy-efficient and self-sufficient and contribute to sustainable growth.
Per the MOU, Dubai and the United States will exchange information regarding rules, scoring, judging, safety, and site and team selection for Solar Decathlon Middle East. In addition to educating students, the competition is intended to encourage private-sector participation in the energy sector and promote sustainable development and land-use planning.
Since the first Solar Decathlon in 2002, 224 collegiate teams—nearly 32,500 students—have participated in the flagship U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, Solar Decathlon China, Solar Decathlon Europe, and Solar Decathlon Latin America and Caribbean.
The next U.S. competition will be held in Irvine, California, October 8–18, 2015.