Archive for October, 2013

The Norwich University Solar Decathlon 2013 team received the Byron Stafford Award of Distinction at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 Victory Reception on Oct. 12.Presented by Solar Decathlon Director Richard King’s wife, Melissa, the award is a tribute to Byron Stafford, who served as the event’s site operations manager from the first Solar Decathlon in 2002 until his death in May. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory senior scientist, Stafford was instrumental in formulating the competition rules and was dedicated to ensuring a safe competition and public exhibit. In 2009, his team installed the first Solar Decathlon village microgrid to distribute energy safely and reliably among the competition houses and to the utility grid.

(more…)

The people have spoken. Today, UrbanEden, the solar-powered house from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, won the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 People’s Choice Award.

(more…)

Team Austria from the Vienna University of Technology has won the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013.

(more…)

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition wrapped up this morning with announcements of overall winners—but the public event continues through Sunday evening.

(more…)

As the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 approaches the finish line, the standings are tight—in fact, the closest ever, which is a reflection of the quality of the competition houses. At each Solar Decathlon, we say that everyone is a winner, but this year it’s more true than ever. All the houses are impressive. As a result, the juries have issued more ties in their evaluations than ever before.

(more…)

Czech Technical University took first place in the highly competitive Architecture Contest and Vienna University of Technology received top honors in the Communications Contest this morning at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013.

(more…)

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 received a jolt of energy today when busloads of students from local southern California middle and high schools visited the Solar Decathlon village for tours of solar-powered competition houses as part of the Solar Decathlon School Days program.

(more…)

At an awards ceremony this morning, winners of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 Affordability and Market Appeal contests took center stage by demonstrating that innovative, energy-efficient houses can be cost-effective and appealing to a variety of target markets.

(more…)

Joe Simon is the competition manager of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013. Before the competition, we asked him five questions to learn more about him and his role.

(more…)

Upgrading your lighting is one of the most practical ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) provide the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs but use about 75% less energy. CFLs fit into common household fixtures and are available at most hardware stores. And although CFLs cost slightly more than incandescent bulbs, they save money over time by lasting 15 times longer than their less-efficient counterparts.

(more…)

If you’ve never thought of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon as a gourmet event, think again. Last night, 2013 teams rolled out their welcome mats for neighboring teams to host the second of two dinner parties of the Home Entertainment Contest.

(more…)

Everyone enjoys a good movie. But for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 teams, movies are also part of the Home Entertainment Contest, which is designed to demonstrate that the teams’ solar-powered houses can accommodate the pleasures of living. Neighboring decathletes act as jurors by awarding a host team points based on the quality of the food, ambiance, and overall experience.

(more…)

New contest data displays are now available on the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon website. If you are interested in the real-time performance of each house and want to keep a close eye on the competition, check out the Contests section pages.

(more…)

“Cool” means hip, trendy. It means you like something. It’s sweet.

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 houses are totally cool. They have a look of functional beauty. And once inside, they’re even more cool. Visitors marvel at the innovative features and see smart controls at work. Indeed, these houses are both beautiful and fun to live in.

(more…)

Updated Oct. 5, 2013, at 11 a.m.

The Solar Decathlon 2013 and XPO opened on time today. Visitors of all ages are invited to learn ways to save money by saving energy while touring the 19 student-built, highly efficient solar-powered houses and experience a 21st-century festival of creativity, technology, design, and education.

(more…)