The Solar Decathlon is an educational project of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Market Viability

(100 points)

For the Market Viability contest, teams participating in the Solar Decathlon build their houses for a target market of their choosing. Teams are then asked to demonstrate the potential of their houses to keep costs affordable within that market.

A jury of professionals from the homebuilding industry evaluates the following to determine each house's market viability:

Livability—Gauges whether the house is well suited for everyday living, could accommodate the specific needs of the targeted homeowners, and offers a safe, functional, convenient, comfortable, and enjoyable place to live.
Buildability—Determines whether the construction documents would enable a contractor to generate an accurate construction cost estimate and then construct the building as the design team intended it to be built.
Marketability—Assesses the house's curb appeal, interior appeal, and quality craftsmanship; how well its sustainability features and strategies contribute to its marketability; and whether the house offers potential homebuyers within the target market a good value.

Printable Version

Photo of the University of Illinois team home, a square structure with modern design, natural wood siding, and solar panels on the roof that produce electricity from the sun. A clear blue sky fills the background.

The University of Illinois' home, shown above, won the 2007 Market Viability contest, which evaluates student homes for market appeal and suitability for everyday living.