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Soon after midnight on September 29, the trucks were allowed to enter the National Mall and the Solar Decathlon construction zone. The trucks transported the solar homes the Decathlon teams constructed on their respective campuses and then disassembled for transport. Teams have one week to reassemble their homes on the Mall. This truck is carrying a disassembled Solar Decathlon home and a GEM electric vehicle that will be used in the Getting Around contest. (Credit: Cécile Warner, NREL) |
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Weary students from the 18 Solar Decathlon teams attend the orientation meeting where Richard King, Competition Director, outlines safety procedures and presents teams with the "Building Permits" for the National Mall. Arriving at the Mall is another milestone in this project that has consumed their lives for more than two years. (Credit: Ivilina Thornton, NREL) |
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Dawn breaks on the 2005 Solar Decathlon. Overnight, the student teams have unloaded their solar houses onto their building sites. Though the houses are still "under wraps," you can see the teams have employed vastly different strategies to design the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered home. (Credit: Ivilina Thornton, NREL) |
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With the U.S. Capitol and Smithsonian Castle as a backdrop, the solar village is beginning to take shape. The Solar Decathlon teams worked through the night to unload their trucks and "stage" the construction of their solar powered homes. In one week, these 18 homes will be finished, complete with landscaping, wall art, and solar electric systems that generate all the electricity a modern house needs. (Credit: Ivilina Thornton, NREL) |
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A forest of cranes competes for a view normally dominated by the Washington Monument early in the morning of September 29. (Credit: Ivilina Thornton, NREL) |
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A New York Institute of Technology student still feels strong after working all night and into the afternoon. The students' enthusiasm and energy is infectious. The modular design of these solar houses allows them to be quickly reassembled onsite. The University of Maryland home is in the background. (Credit: Wendy Butler-Burt, Department of Energy) |
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After the threat of rain and gusty conditions, the weather front passed through leaving a clear blue sky and perfect home-building conditions. The main tent that will house educational exhibits and workshops is going up and the "pavement" is going down. The temporary flooring helps protect the National Mall. (Credit: Wendy Butler-Burt, Department of Energy) |
