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One Week Left to Register for the Solar Decathlon 2024 Design Challenge!

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Students and faculty from the 2023 Design Challenge Howard University team pose with their trophy. (Photo by Vern Slocum, NREL) Students and faculty from the 2023 Design Challenge Howard University team pose with their trophy. (Photo by Vern Slocum, NREL)

Only one week is left to register for the 2024 Design Challenge with the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon®! 

The Design Challenge is an annual collegiate competition challenging interdisciplinary teams to create zero energy building designs that address real-world issues such as climate resilienceembodied carbonexisting building retrofits, and community impact.  

  • Collegiate students/facultyRegister your team(s) by October 18, 2023, at 5 p.m. EDT to join the international competition and tackle the climate crisis through a sustainable retrofit or new construction building design.
    • Deliverables are due between February and April 2024, with finalists competing at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. 
    • Check out the Kickoff Webinar recording to learn about the Design Challenge, including eligibility, new division breakdowns, opportunities for retrofit designs, and updated contests. 
    • More details are available on the Solar Decathlon blog and in the competition rules 

The Solar Decathlon is also looking for alumni mentors and jurors to support the next generation of Solar Decathletes! Check out the exclusive opportunities to engage with the future of the buildings industry. 

  • Alumni mentors are paired with student teams and volunteer up to 15 hours of their time to support teams during the zero energy design and competition process. 
    • Fill out the mentor sign-up form by October 18 if you are interested and have participated in a past Solar Decathlon edition!
  • Think you have what it takes to be a Solar Decathlon juror? Submit the juror interest form by October 18 to be considered for the February 2024 semifinal event (virtual) or the April 2024 final event (in person in Golden, Colorado). 

Questions? Contact SDdesign@nrel.gov. 

 “An incredible experience—I left with such inspiration to design for a better world by working with other people that have the same goal.” - 2023 Design Challenge Student

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