Solar Decathlon Expands, Bringing Zero Energy Programs to High School Students and Mid-Career Professionals
Friday, May 27, 2022
At the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® 2022 Competition Event, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm announced the launch of two Solar Decathlon workforce development programs to bring the collegiate competition’s sustainable buildings expertise, experience, and mentorship into high school classrooms and architectural studios across the country.
Solar Decathlon Professionals (SD Pro) and Solar Decathlon Pathways (SD Pathways) will train professionals and inspire students to pursue careers in zero energy buildings, preparing them to enter and thrive in this growing industry. Through these programs, Solar Decathlon will provide participants with opportunities to learn from some of the competition’s most successful alumni, develop proficiencies in the latest sustainable building software platforms, and learn lessons that over 40,000 “Decathletes” gained from 20 years of designing and constructing zero energy buildings.
“Solar Decathlon has always been about the students, and as we enter the competition’s third decade, now is the time to expand our offerings to include more scholars – from high schoolers preparing to choose careers to practicing professionals who are ready to learn new skills,” said Holly Jamesen Carr, director of the Solar Decathlon in the Building Technologies Office.