Solar Decathlon 2013

Energy Balance Contest

(100 points)

For the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013, each team house was equipped with a bidirectional utility meter that enabled competition organizers to measure the net energy a house produced or consumed over the course of the competition.

In the Energy Balance Contest, a team received full points for producing at least as much energy as its house needed, thus achieving a net energy consumption of zero during contest week. This was accomplished by balancing production and consumption. Reduced points were earned for a net electrical energy balance between -50 kWh and 0 kWh. Reduced points were scaled linearly.

The final measurements for the Energy Balance Contest are shown in the graphic below. Roll over each graphic with your mouse for detailed measurement information. Click the team names in the legend to hide/show data for each team.