Innovative energy savings on display in solar village on National Mall

Houses arriving in Washington, D.C. for Oct. 7-16 Solar Decathlon

WASHINGTON, D.C. In advance of the DOE Solar Decathlon, a "solar village" has taken shape on the National Mall. Solar powered and highly efficient houses from across the country and as far away as Spain, Canada and Puerto Rico are arriving in Washington, D.C. for the start of the 2005 Solar Decathlon. The Solar Decathlon brings together cutting-edge architecture, engineering, and technology in homes that generate as much, or more, energy than they consume.

"These future engineers and architects are developing the most innovative cutting edge technology," Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman said. "Although the homes may seem fun and futuristic, the materials they use are available to anyone. These homes are living demonstrations of the transformative power of innovation. They demonstrate that we can have homes today that use less energy without giving up any of the comforts we now enjoy."

University teams will compete to determine who has built the house that best blends aesthetics and modern conveniences with maximum energy production and optimal efficiency. For two years, the teams have worked on their designs, raised funds, conducted research, and built and tested their houses. Over eight days the teams will be judged in 10 areas encompassing architecture, livability, comfort, power generation for space heating and cooling, water heating, and powering lights and appliances. Each solar house must also produce enough "extra" power for an electric car. Opening ceremonies begin on Oct. 6.

The competition promises to show the public some very innovative approaches to home design. The University of Colorado's house, for example, uses natural materials, including Bio-SIPs, a patented structural insulated panel system made of cellulose waste and soy foam insulation. The house is also constructed with wheat, corn, flax, sunflower, canola, coconut and coffee.

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