The US Department of Energy held the 2007 Solar Decathlon in Washington DC last week on the National Mall. In the contest 20 teams of college and university students compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The events described vary:
To compete, the teams must design and build energy-efficient homes that are powered exclusively by the sun. The homes must be attractive and easy to live in. They must maintain a comfortable temperature, provide attractive and adequate lighting, power household appliances for cooking and cleaning, power home electronics, and provide hot water. These houses must also power an electric vehicle to meet household transportation needs. Some contests are scored by measuring performance, such as meeting certain temperature requirements. Others require the successful completion of tasks. Some contests are scored by jurors who are experts in architecture, engineering, and other appropriate fields. The jurors evaluate things that measurements cannot, such as aesthetics and comfort. Some contests are scored by a combination of these methods.
One contest is to supply all the hot water a family would need for bathing, laundry, and dishwashing, another juried contest evaluates whether the house has market appeal and is well suited for everyday living—and if it could be built easily and accommodate a variety of potential homeowners.
After the week of challenges, a team from Technische Universität Darmstadt in Germany won first place for an oak and glass home that will be later installed at the university’s campus.
Second was the University of Maryland and third Santa Clara University.
Too bad the US DARPA challenges don’t allow foreign teams like this contest did. Waterloo could certainly create a self driving car.
Update: November 2, 2007
DARPA does allow foreign teams provided they have at least one American member. From the Wikipedia:
The competition is open to teams and organizations from around the world, with the proviso that they have at least one U.S. citizen on the roster. Teams have participated from high schools, universities, businesses and other organizations. More than 100 teams registered in the first year, bringing a wide variety of technological skills to the race. In the second year, 195 teams from 36 US states and 4 foreign countries entered the race.