Team from Ohio State Competes in Solar Decathlon

Students from Ohio State have been chosen as one of 20 teams to compete in the US Department of Energy’s 2011 National Solar Decathlon, scheduled September 21-October 2 on the National Mall in Washington, DC.  An interdisciplinary team of 50 students from 13 different majors spent the summer designing and constructing a state-of-the-art, affordable, energy-efficient home.  The house, which has been named “EnCORE,” was constructed on the OSU campus and then shipped to Washington.

It will be judged in 10 contests that evaluate engineering, architecture, comfort and other aspects of the house. The teams will have to perform everyday tasks, including cooking, laundry and washing dishes, to test the energy efficiency of their homes.

The Solar Decathlon challenges collegiate teams to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

Ohio State placed in the top 10 in the 2009 contest. Winners of the 2011 competition will be announced October 1.
  
For more on the Solar Decathlon:  http://www.solardecathlon.gov

You can learn more about the OSU entry by visiting the team’s blog which includes a pictorial review of the house under construction:  http://solardecathlon.osu.edu/