Skip to main content

Day 5: Solar Decathlon Europe Teams Prepare for Electrical Connections

Authored on

There was a distinct shift in the types of construction activities at Solar Decathlon Europe today, Day 5, June 11. All of the teams have received and placed their large house sections on their lots. The University of Florida received its second and last house section this morning. By 10 a.m., it was hard to tell that Florida was delayed several days getting its oversized house sections to its lot.

Thinking Outside the Box (An International Shipping Container)

Authored on

All overseas teams that have competed in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon have shipped their house sections in an international shipping container or made their house section the same size as one. This is very convenient because handling, lifting, and moving an international shipping container is relatively easy and no extra paperwork is required for transport on public roads.

University of Florida Moves to Villa Solar

Authored on

After several days and many challenges, the University of Florida finally placed its first, and largest, house section on its lot late in the night on Day 3. The team had shipped its parts and subassemblies to a construction site about 25 km away from the Villa Solar. Working weeks before the opening ceremony, the team constructed two large house sections. Although the team is now several days behind schedule, it should quickly make up that lost time. The smaller house section should be placed soon.

Despite the rain, all of the teams are progressing well on the construction of their houses.

Byron Stafford is the site operations manager of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. Throughout the Solar Decathlon Europe competition, U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon organizers are reporting from Madrid.

Rain Falls While Construction Progresses in the Villa Solar

Authored on

Imagine having to work all day and night outside in cold rain. The Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 competitors are working in these conditions on the third day of assembly. With rain forecast through Sunday, the teams will have to get used to constructing their houses in the rain. But most would prefer the rain now than during the competition, when they’ll need sunshine to power their houses.

Construction Continues at Solar Decathlon Europe

Authored on

With big trucks rolling onto the Villa Solar throughout the night, the Solar Decathlon Europe competition site is quickly taking shape. Many team sites contain houses that are already half built. Others are still nearly empty lots. The Tianjin and Helsinki houses are currently stuck in cargo containers in the port of Valencia, Spain, which is experiencing a strike. Solar Decathlon Europe organizers are working with Spanish government officials to get the containers released. In the meantime, these teams wait and watch their competitors hard at work.

Assembly Begins at Solar Decathlon Europe

Authored on

About 200 decathletes and organizers gathered in Madrid today to kick off Solar Decathlon Europe 2010. Unfortunately, the international economic crisis has hit Solar Decathlon Europe hard, and three of the original 20 teams (Valencia, Mexico, and Brazil) had to drop out of the competition. Following team registration and a welcome meeting, the 17 remaining teams rushed off to begin construction.

Subscribe to Solar Decathlon Europe 2010