Solar Decathlon team to unveil competition design

Monday, August 27, 2012

The UNC Charlotte Solar Decathlon team will present its solar house design to the public at 4:00 PM, Monday, Sept. 17, at UNC Charlotte Center City. The design is for the 2013 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, an international competition that will be in Irvine, Calif., in October 2013.

“The Solar Decathlon is probably the most prestigious and challenging design competition in the United States,” said Chris Jarrett, director of the School of Architecture in the College of Arts + Architecture.  “UNC Charlotte’s selection to participate in the Solar Decathlon is an extraordinary opportunity for the University and its partners to be in an international spotlight with respect to issues of renewable energy and solar power.”

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges 20 university teams, through a series of 10 contests, to demonstrate inventive, clean-energy solutions by building solar-powered houses that feature energy-efficient construction and appliances and renewable energy systems. Since its inception in 2002, the Solar Decathlon has grown into one of the most highly anticipated design competitions in the world, attracting more than 300,000 visitors in 2011. For more about the Solar Decathlon, visit the website Solar Decathlon website.

The competition provides participants with hands-on training, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, inspires innovation and research, and educates the public about the benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency. According to officials, the winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency. The UNC Charlotte team is comprised of faculty and students from the School of Architecture, the Lee College of Engineering and the Belk College of Business.

Team members will break ground on the University’s solar house in January 2013, and construction will be finished by next summer. The team will transport and reassemble the house for the Solar Decathlon competition, which takes place Oct. 3-13, 2013.