Solar Decathlon 2011

Purdue University

Purdue University's INhome—short for Indiana home—earned an overall second-place finish at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011. After the competition, the house was relocated to Chatham Square, a new housing development in Lafayette, Indiana, that is part of a broader neighborhood revitalization effort. The house is unchanged from its Solar Decathlon configuration except that the garage was moved to the opposite side of the house to accommodate the shape of the lot. The house was on display throughout 2012 and is currently offered for sale.

The INhome provides a realistic and balanced vision for ultra-efficient housing. It is fully functional yet practical and features efficient systems and sustainable design without sacrificing modern comforts and amenities.

Although the INhome will become a private residence, it will also be used for educational outreach and long-term monitoring to validate its performance. The photovoltaic panels on the INhome have provided for all of its energy needs for more than a year. A surplus of power is generated from March through October and fed back into the electric grid, which offsets the shortfall that occurs from November through February, when colder weather and shorter days cause a monthly energy deficit.

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The INhome is now located in Lafayette, Indiana. The innovative, yet practical, house was designed to meet the needs of a typical Midwestern consumer—and it finished second place overall in the Solar Decathlon 2011 competition. (Courtesy of Bill Hutzel)

Who: Purdue University
What: The INhome
Where:
1300 Shenandoah Drive
Lafayette, IN 47905
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Public tours: Not available