Sneak Peek: Solar Decathlon 2015 House Concepts!

What do the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015 teams have up their sleeves? Our new 2015 team pages will give you an idea of what’s in store. The teams have submitted their first house designs to competition organizers, and we’re giving you a glimpse of what’s planned.

Although all the projects feature solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive, they represent a variety of target markets, technological innovations, and design approaches. These include everything from urban infill housing for low-income residents and zero-net-energy housing for migrant farm workers to a modern version of the “dogtrot” house for a family of gardeners—though these plans might change substantially before construction begins at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California, next fall.

Solar Decathlon 2013 Team Capitol D.C.’s HARVEST HOME, pictured here, is a fully accessible house designed to facilitate healing for a war veteran. Solar Decathlon 2015 teams have presented their first plans for the competition. (Credit: Jason Flakes/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

Stay tuned for updated team project information and designs in the months ahead. In August, we’ll share the teams’ own websites with expanded information about their plans, and next January, we’ll post computer-animated walkthroughs and renderings of the team houses.

In the meantime, see where it all begins with the Solar Decathlon 2015 initial design concepts.

Carol Laurie is the communications manager of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.