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Photo of Steven Chu.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu

Welcome Message From the Secretary of Energy

Welcome to the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2009. We are proud to hold this unique competition and to showcase the possibilities of solar power and smart energy use on the National Mall. It is a personal pleasure for me to be a part of the Decathlon because it helps accomplish one of my highest priorities: engaging the next generation of scientists and engineers to help solve the energy problem.

These students are remarkable. For the past two years, they have been designing, engineering, building, and testing solar-powered houses that, ideally, will be self-sufficient. Using off-the-shelf technology, the teams must produce enough electricity and hot water from solar panels to run a modern home with all of the conveniences we've come to expect.

Their work has important real-world applications. Homes and other buildings account for 40% of the energy we use in the United States—more than we use in transportation or industry. There is an incredible opportunity to design and construct living and work spaces that are dramatically more efficient than those we build today. Competitions like this one can lead to new solutions and inspire a new generation of problem solvers.

This competition is also a powerful reminder of the potential of a clean energy economy. President Obama is committed to leading the United States toward a new energy future—to create jobs and ensure our competitiveness, to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. The skills these students have learned will be in increasing demand in the years ahead.

The Solar Decathlon shows us what is possible today and points the way to a brighter future. I hope you will take the time to visit the houses, ask tough questions of the competitors, and learn more about the clean energy solutions on display. And, again, welcome.

Steven Chu
Secretary of Energy