Team News
Find out what the Solar Decathlon 2009 teams are doing now. The news presented here is a compilation of the most recent entries from student team blogs. Don't miss a team update, subscribe via RSS. 
To find out more about an individual team, click a post title to visit their blog or visit their team Web site.
November 17, 2009
Back in Germany 
Blog - Solar Decathlon 2009 Team Germany - Technische Universität Darmstadt
After a few days relaxing Team Germany is back Home.
October 29, 2009
North House at the 2009 European Energy Forum
North House
North House Faculty Leads Kathy Velikov and Geoffrey Thün have been invited to present design-research associated with the North House project at the 4th annual European Energy Forum in Bressanone, Italy this coming December- one of the world’s leading interdisciplinary platforms for industry and academic discourse regarding the future of solar-based architecture and urbanism.
Velikov will present within the poster session program regarding the integration of systems design, IDP processes and user interface controls within the North House project and Thün will discuss mass-customization and prefabricated solar building systems potentials as the only North American plenary speaker that will present authored design work at the conference.
For more information, see www.energy-forum.com
October 21, 2009
Interlock House: Lot 108
Iowa State University Solar Decathlon
Home to the Interlock House and its ISU team for 3 weeks.
October 21, 2009
Interlock House: Leaving DC
Iowa State University Solar Decathlon
Good bye Washington Memorial!
October 18, 2009
North House Places Fourth at the Decathlon
North House
After years of work and a few sleepless nights the 2009 Solar Decathlon competition is now complete. The victors have been announced, with North House placing fourth overall. We would like to sincerely congratulate all of the teams who participated in this years Decathlon, we have learned so much from each project and are proud to be among such excellent company. We would also like to thank all our fantastic sponsors for their support over the course of this journey.
The team waits for the announcement of the top three teams during the closing ceremonies (left). Chris answers questions during an interview with the CBC following the announcement of the top three projects (right).
October 17, 2009
Team germany at the awards ceremony
Blog - Solar Decathlon 2009 Team Germany - Technische Universität Darmstadt
At the moment we are in the main tent of the Solar Decathlon and waiting for the Awards ceremony to start.
October 17, 2009
North House and the Olympics
North House
Lyn Bartram and Rob Woodbury of SFU are working with the City of Vancouver to bring North House to the Vancouver Olympics. The current plan is to have the house on display downtown in the Olympic Zone. Negotiations are underway to showcase North House both at the Olympics and afterwards as part of the Vancouver Green Capital initiative.
Vancouver, the site of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
October 14, 2009
Public Tours of the North House
North House
One of the key goals of the Solar Decathlon is to raise awareness among the general public about renewable energy and energy efficiency, and how solar energy technologies can reduce energy usage. One of the primary ways this is achieved is through public tours of the individual houses, including the North House. There were a few questions that we, Team Ontario / BC receive quite often during tours - the questions and answers are documented here:
What is the total photovoltaic capacity of the house?
The total capacity is 14 kW. This can be broken down to 8.3 from the Roof, 2.1 on the East Façade, 2.1 on the West Façade, and 1.5 on the South Façade.
How do the exterior blinds work?
The exterior blinds work with the highly insulated glass windows to accept heat from the sun in the winter, and reject heat during the warmer months. They are automated using data from sensors on the interior and exterior of the building, the location of the building, the time of day and the time of year. The user can override this optimized automated system according to their preference. During inclement weather, the blinds are designed to go to the horizontal tilt position when the wind speed reaches 8m/s and when wind speeds reach 12 m/s they retract fully.
What is the purpose of the ceiling?
The ceiling is a sculptural solution for light diffusion and sound absorption. The form helps to loosely define the spaces in the open living area. There are 5248 individual cells of varying sizes.
Maun greets visitors as they arrive at the entrance to the North House (left). Visitors take a break on the deck after their tour through the house (right).
Tuesday was School day at the Solar Decathlon! Lindsey describes the samples to a group of students (left). A school group being quizzed on the basics of solar energy (right).
Our neighbourhood on the mall. Penn State’s Natural Fusion house is located to the left, and Rice University’s ZEROW House is on the right.
Humphrey describes the retractable bed to visitors (left). Aya discusses the densepack (right).
October 15, 2009
Something to eat in D.C.
Blog - Solar Decathlon 2009 Team Germany - Technische Universität Darmstadt
After the visit at the goethe institute, we’ve been invited to have a dinner with the team of Chiaramonte and Turner. It was a rely nice evening and we enjoyed it a lot.
October 16, 2009
Film crew at sur+home
Blog - Solar Decathlon 2009 Team Germany - Technische Universität Darmstadt
Right now we have a film crew in our house. They are making a short film about our house for the american tv.
October 16, 2009
Winning Team Germany
Blog - Solar Decathlon 2009 Team Germany - Technische Universität Darmstadt
We really didn’t expect to win this contest this time. It was almost close to the end.
Then Missy did a great speech in front of all the press.
October 16, 2009
Interlock House: Aaron Brncich saves the day.
Iowa State University Solar Decathlon
Our project manager, Aaron Brncich, in the "well" fixing the pump.
Many thanks to Aaron for a heroic performance on the Mall. Good luck on the dissassembly and return trip!
October 16, 2009
Interlock House: Racing against the clock
Iowa State University Solar Decathlon
Washing skylights and finishing the interior trim on the last official day of construction. Our neighbors from Madrid and the Washington Monument in the background.
October 16, 2009
Interlock House: Tim Lentz did not sleep for days.
Iowa State University Solar Decathlon
At home and well rested, I can now laugh at this shot of Tim taken during what was surely one of his darkest moments. Someday, perhaps, he will laugh too.
GO TEAM : )
October 16, 2009
Winner
Blog - Solar Decathlon 2009 Team Germany - Technische Universität Darmstadt
What a race in the end. At first there was the announcement of the engineering contest. Darmstadt was placed 4th place so we all did not know, here were are placed compared to the first team Illinois (they became seventh). And then the announcement of the overall winner: We all were standing there waiting just to hear Team Germany once … As it took really long … the announcement began with 3rd over 2nd to first … the eagerness was unbelievable. And in the end we knew … we did it again!
October 16, 2009
Congratulations ICON Solar House Lighting Team
University of Minnesota Solar Decathlon Team Blog
Advisor Jonee Kulman Brigham reports on the first rate ICON Solar House lighting design.
This morning, the DOE announced that University of Minnesota had won the lighting design competition which considers "designing functional, energy-efficient, and aesthetically pleasing lighting systems" - both for daylighting and electric lighting. Scoring 72 out of 75 possible points, the team was complemented on the simple controls, use of daylighting, black-out shades, electrochromic glass shading, extensive use of solid state LED lights, the east porch lighting, the appearance of the lit house at night, and for creating a lighting design that worked with the ventilation system and climate.
Rose Lin, co-leader for the interior design team in charge of lighting collaborated with Joe Messier, student commissioning leader on integrating electric lighting and shading with the daylighting approach. Joe modeled the integrated result in both daytime and night lighting mode in a 3D rendering program to help the team refine the lighting scheme. Professional lighting and daylighting experts contributed advice through a series of design reviews and meetings.
The team chose a selective and strategic approach. According to the project manual, "The ICON House is designed with features that offer maximum efficiency of light around the house, interior and exterior, natural and artificial. Integration of technology and sustainability is balanced with traditional lighting strategies by using electric lighting with a clearly defined purpose, and selective use of daylight to enhance areas within the home. As a result of the selectivity, the entire electric lighting budget is under 500 watts for both interior and exterior." That last point was illustrated by a vase of five, 100-watt incandescent bulbs that was displayed for visitors in order to make the savings more tangible.
Photo credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar DecathlonThe choice of lighting sources points a new way forward. A U.S. Lighting Market Characterization Report prepared for the EPA in 2002 found that average residential lighting use consisted of 91% incandescent lamps, 9% fluorescents, and a negligible amount of LEDs. The ICON Solar House shows that warm, familiar and pleasing lighting design can come from a majority of LEDs, a few fluorescents, with no need for incandescents.
The ICON Solar House also illustrates that strategic placement and shading of windows can result in daylighting that reinforces the functionality and mood of various places in the home. The narrative by Rose and Joe in the manual states, "Along this east west axis a variety of daylighting approaches are taken from dramatic to tranquil, creating three zones that reflect the living activities within each zone." The kitchen area is filled with light in the morning from the large east windows that visually connect it to the dining area on the porch. If the light becomes too much, the electro chromic glass can be set to tint, reducing glare and solar gain, while retaining view. In the central dining area, large south windows capture moving sun angles and views of the south deck. In the living and workstation areas to the west, north clerestories and a modest sized west window, limit solar gain and glare while providing ample indirect north light for the more tranquil activities of reading, watching movies, or working at the computer. Low window openings at the south and high north clerestory window openings enhance natural ventilation.
October 15, 2009
TEAM BeauSoleil Still Celebrating Win
TEAM BeauSoleil
WASHINGTON D.C. -- Two years ago, a team of architecture and engineering students from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette set out to build a sustainable, solar-powered home. They accomplished their goal – the BeauSoleil Louisiana Solar Home.
The home has been at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. since early October to compete in the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon. It’s the only team from Louisiana to ever compete in a solar decathlon and its among 20 teams from across the globe competing in this year’s contest.
Tomorrow, teams will celebrate their accomplishments with an awards ceremony at 8 a.m.
TEAM BeauSoleil from UL Lafayette is celebrating its first place win in Market Viability awarded earlier this week. A jury evaluated the homes on the following criteria:
• Livability – How well the home fits the specific needs of a targeted homeowner and whether it is a safe, comfortable, and convenient place to live,
• Buildability – Whether the home can be built efficiently at a cost-competitive price and constructed the way the team intended it to be built, and
• Marketability – How well the house’s curb appeal, interior appeal, quality craftsmanship, as well as its sustainability features and integration of solar technology, offer potential homebuyers a good value.
TEAM BeauSoleil scored 97 out of 100 possible points.
“We paid a lot of attention to what our culture is all about – our climate, our kitchen,” said Gretchen Lacombe Vanicor, project manager. “We knew from the beginning we had to make this home for the people of Acadiana and Louisiana.”
The Department of Energy will host the official awards ceremony Friday morning. The Engineering Award along with the first, second and third place overall winners will be announced. In addition, a People’s Choice Award will be announced. To vote for TEAM BeauSoleil, text HOUSE76 to 99503. Voting polls close at midnight tonight.
For more information on TEAM BeauSoleil, visit www.beausoleilhome.org.
-30-
October 15, 2009
Top Questions from D.C.
Solar House Team
In the spirit of education, I've compiled a list of the top 10 questions we receive during public tours. If we added some new signs, we could probably reduce the amount we have to talk by about 90% or just send the 21 year old team members bar-hopping for the day.In the spirit of being tired after a few long weeks of work, we've also added the responses we'd like to give to mix things up a bit...
1. What is the wood the cabinets are made out of?
Real Answer: It's actually manufactured from reclaimed sorghum straw and low VOC, no formaldehyde adhesive. It extends our design concept (expanding horizons) because of the long straight lines in the grain, and is a green material from the Midwest as well.
After a Long Day: "It's actually pure magic." We'd offer a longer, more creative explanation, but we'd be hoarse since we get this one from almost everybody.
2. What are those things on the walls?
Real Answer: Those are custom made lighting fixtures that we installed efficient LED lighting in. They're made entirely from recycled steel and glass as well.
After a Long Day: "Take a stab at it...they are plugged in to the wall and giving off a warm, yellowish glow that happens to light up the area..."
3. How do you water the plants?
Real Answer: Our custom automation system (Chameleon) has soil moisture content sensors that it reads. If the soil is to dry, a soaker hose running underneath the plants will turn on and water them until the desired content is reached.
After a Long Day: This one depends. If you just got the 10 minute pitch on the automation system, we're likely to ignore you since we already talked about it. If you skipped the pitch on automation, we're likely to ignore you because you'd know the answer if you had listened. Guess it doesn't really depend.
4. Are these cement countertops?
Real Answer: We chose concrete countertops due to their durability and because it's recyclable. It also helps us to keep the price down as it's cheaper than other common counter materials such as granite.
After a Long Day: That would be awfully tough since cement is just a binding agent. If you mix it with aggregate and water, you get the wonder material that we used.
5. What are the fins on the sides of the house?
Real Answer: They're called louvers, and are rather popular in other countries and on some larger commercial buildings here. Because of the changing angle of the sun through seasons, they block direct sunlight during the summer and allow most to pass during the winter.
After a Long Day: We have to drive our house down the highway to D.C. These are for aerodynamics to make it easier on the truck.
6. Does the drain work?
Real Answer: Yes. The shower area is sloped down to it to make sure we don't have standing water. As it runs the length of the bathroom, it can handle the flow from the shower, and it's slightly dammed as well to keep water from spilling over. We chose this type of drain due to the universal design aspect of the home...anybody can get into the shower.
After a Long Day: No. The company decided to mass market a product that doesn't work and we thought we'd support them because we respected the brash attempt.
7. Why is there a screen behind the mirror?
Real Answer: It is actually an energy saving measure. By getting headlines, weather, sports scores, stocks (et al) through a very low power draw device, you're minimizing the usage of traditional, high power draw devices such as a TVs or computers. Plus, it's awesome.
After a Long Day: Toilet + Shower + TV means all you need is a beer cooler and you'll never have to leave the bathroom. We're only one step away...
8. What are the tubes on the roof?
Real Answer: We generate our electricity through the flat PV panels on the roof. The tubes allow us to heat water without using our electricity, which is far more efficient. There is a copper tube that goes into the manifold at the top, which in turn heats a closed loop of a hydroglycolic mixture. That in turn radiates up and heats the domestic hot water for the home, and the water used for our hydronic radiant floor system.
After a Long Day; They're huge Pixie Sticks. Go try to eat one.
Okay, so it's not quite the top 10 list I promised, but it's been a long day ;-).
In all seriousness though, we actually like answering questions. We've worked on the project for the past two years to raise public awareness and because we love the idea behind it. Keep asking questions, and we promise to give you the real answer (though you may have to sit through the others first).
-Bryan
October 12, 2009
A Canadian Thanksgiving in Washington
North House
Team Ontario / BC celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving tonight in our hotel. It was so nice to sit down to eat with the whole team, and with the friends and family who have journeyed to Washington to support our Solar Decathlon entry. Dinner was served at 10:00 pm - after lockdown on the mall - so that everyone on the team could participate.
Team Ontario / BC gathers in the dining room for Thanksgiving dinner.
Duncan carves the turkey (left). Plum crisp and pumpkin pie complete the meal (right).
October 14, 2009
Chill out @ sur+bed
Blog - Solar Decathlon 2009 Team Germany - Technische Universität Darmstadt
This evening we enjoyed staying at sur+home. We had some drinks (non-alcoholic of course) and talked a lot about the project and what was goning on the last days.
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Content Last Updated: September 22, 2009
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