Motivation: Solar Decathlon - Inspiration

Encouraged to examine how energy impacts their daily lives, students are challenged to implement energy-efficient design and performance technologies into their solar-powered homes. Through research and real world experiences, Solar Decathletes are hoping to make a difference in the world by educating the public about the aesthetic and ecological benefits of renewable energy and sustainable design.

Students are exploring innovative ideas and techniques that focus on conserving energy, increasing efficiency, and lowering the cost of emerging solar power technologies. The competition places demands on the homes' energy system, which must maintain certain temperature ranges; provide attractive and adequate lighting; power household appliances for cooking and cleaning; power home electronics; provide hot water; and power an electric vehicle.

Teams selected for the competition have been awarded $100,000 over two years from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the Solar Decathlon's research goal of reducing the cost of solar-powered homes and advancing solar technology.