Solar Decathlon: Oct 7-16 - National Mall, Washington, D.C.

Next week, teams from 18 universities across the country will take the solar houses they have built on their individual campuses and transport them to Washington, D.C. to compete in the Solar Decathlon.  According to the site: "students compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house." A Solar Village to display and judge these houses will be set up in the National Mall beginning on October 7.

The Decathlon is well named, as there are 10 contests on which each team will be judged. They include: Architecture, Dwelling, Documentation, Communications, Comfort Zone, Appliances, Hot Water, Lighting, Energy Balance, Getting Around.

This contest is the 2nd Solar Decathlon, with the first occurring in 2002.  The next contest will be in 2007.  The homes will be open to the public for viewing from October 7-16, with the exception of October 12 - Judging Day. The winners will be announced on October 14 at 2pm.

Visit the Solar Decathlon site.