Solar Decathlon

The Solar Decathlon (English " Solar Decathlon ") is an architectural and energy technology competition, which is awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to design with the aim of an energy self-sufficient buildings for housing in 2015. The homes must meet their energy needs only self-produced solar electricity.

Participation is open to twenty selected in a preliminary round universities from around the world. The student teams are two years available for the planning and implementation of the construction project. Here architectural and energy-related aspects need to be brought into the planning in line, beyond the organization and financing of the project play a significant role. The competition ends with a two-week public final round of teams on the National Mall in Washington, DC This is where the colleges and universities with their solar-powered houses compete against each other and evaluated in ten disciplines.

In the summer of 2008, a European version of competition was promoted with the Solar Decathlon Europe, the results of which were presented in 2010 in Madrid for the first time. The European competition, as well as the American, since every two years held in alternate years. Organizer and host of the Solar Decathlon Europe is the Polytechnic University of Madrid and the U.S. Department of Energy.

10 A triathlon 2009

Architecture [ Architecture] - 100 points

Aesthetics, idea and architectural integration of these technologies are assessed. The contribution is to show that you can bring together both solar and energy-related aspects with architectural standards successfully.

Technological Implementation [ Engineering ] - 100 points

Building envelope and building are valued according to functionality, efficiency, innovation, durability and economy.

Marketability [ Market Viability ] - 100 points

The assessment as to merchantability several aspects are incorporated with. Firstly, the materials and raw materials used must be available on the market for everyone. Secondly, the building will be analyzed and evaluated on its economic viability. Housing quality, constructability and flexibility are the criteria. Furthermore, adherence to schedule, rules and building regulations play a role.

Public Relations [ Communications ] - 75 points

The Solar Decathlon is not only a competition but also a public event. In the foreground of public relations are the placement of the project and its issues to a wide audience through a website and site tours. The guide will be assessed on the basis of its content, branding, hand - outs, originality, appropriateness and their organization, while the site is assessed only on the basis of the content, branding and design.

Thermal comfort [ Comfort Zone ] - 100 points

The aspect of thermal comfort refers to the ability of the house to control the room temperature and humidity and to keep within certain limits. It should be room temperature 22 - 24 ° and the humidity be 40 - 55 %.

Technical Equipment [ Appliances ] - 100 points

In this part of the competition, the teams are expected to show that their houses produce enough energy so that various household appliances and other electronic devices that may be connected. In order to simulate a conventional power consumption in addition to the operation of the refrigerator (1-4 ° C) and freezer ( -28.9 to -15 ° C), and daily washing machine ( min. 43.3 ° C), dryer and dishwasher can be used ( 48.9 ° C).

Hot water [Hot Water ] - 100 points

This contest is to show that the entire necessary hot water of a building can be generated by solar energy obtained. For this purpose, the average amount of water and temperature is simulated while showering in the tests. Twice a day, the teams have 15 gallons ( 56.8 l) provide hot water ( 110 ° F / 43.3 ° C) in less than ten minutes.

Lighting concept [ Lighting Design ] - 75 points

Determination is the daylight and artificial light quality here. Both lighting concepts should be designed so that no electricity must be consumed on the day. The artificial light is assessed in terms of adequacy, lighting scenarios, integration, control and outdoor lighting, while the daylight quality is evaluated in terms of controllability and atmosphere. Another aspect represents the illumination of the workplace and the visibility of the house at night

Energy supply [Net - Metering ] - 150 points

This competition serves to demonstrate to the fact that the sun is able to cover all the necessary energies for the daily needs of a 2 person household. Every home needs at least be operated with a balanced energy balance, on the other hand the supply of surplus is measured in the existing local power grid. The team with the most surplus in net metering wins.

Home Entertainment - 100 points

As part of the competition are part of two dinner parties and hold a movie night in which each team members of other teams invited into her house and is valued by them.

Solar Decathlon Europe 2014

In 2014, the Solar Decathlon Europe 2014 will take place in Versailles. Participants will include the team ontop of Fachhochschule Frankfurt am Main

Solar Decathlon 2013

In 2013 the competition was first held not held in Washington DC. Venue was the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. The winner was the team Austria, a collaboration between the Technical University of Vienna, University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences Salzburg and the Austrian Institute of Technology. The second place went to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas ahead of the Czech Technical University in Prague.

2009 Solar Decathlon

Participants:

Europe:

  • Technical University of Darmstadt
  • Polytechnic University of Madrid

America:

Solar Decathlon 2007

The third competition was held on 19 October 2007. The winner was the Technical University of Darmstadt followed by the University of Maryland and Santa Clara University.

Solar Decathlon 2005

Solar power Versailles (city) University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee University System of Maryland
737132
de