All-Team Meeting Kicks Off Solar Decathlon 2011

Samuel Mikhail, team leader of Team New York (City College of New York), during the All-Team Meeting. (Credit: Carol Anna/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

Filled with energy and excitement, the student teams gathered the All-Team Meeting tonight to kick off the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011. The teams—representing 13 U.S. states, five countries, and four continents—received an enthusiastic send-off from Solar Decathlon organizers and sponsors in preparation for the assembly phase of the competition, which begins later tonight. Over a buffet dinner, Melissa Segil of Middlebury College explained how the Solar Decathlon has had a powerful impact on her education.

“I’ve learned more on this one project than I have in four years of college,” Melissa said. “Each of our team members worked to construct our house. The Solar Decathlon is an amazing hands-on educational experience.”

Members of Team China (Tongji University) greet decathletes from other Solar Decathlon teams at the All-Team Meeting. (Credit: Carol Anna/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

Over the next seven days, the teams will work around the clock to build their highly energy-efficient, solar-powered houses at the National Mall’s West Potomac Park. The Solar Decathlon opens to the public on Friday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. Carol Anna is the communications manager of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.