Make your plans for Wash DC 10 day "Solar Decathlon" 9/23 - 10/2

[kristopher]

Video: Solar Decathlon Is 10 Days of Imagination and Innovation

The houses have hit the road as the world’s greenest block party gets ready to kick off a 10-day celebration of solar innovation in the front yard of America’s capital.

The fifth Solar Decathlon — an event held every two years on the National Mall in Washington — invites collegiate teams from across the world to build solar homes that shatter thoughts of what is possible and refine our visions of the future.

The Department of Energy has invited teams from China to Denmark and from Miami to Middlebury, Vt., to design, build and ultimately set up shop on the Mall from Sept. 23 to Oct. 2. The premise is simple — build an affordable home that produces as much or more energy than it consumes. Looking good certainly adds to the experience, and efficiency is just as prized as sheer power.

Visitors are encouraged to tour the solar-powered homes, which include Team Hawaii’s wave-shaped design to Team California’s soft-shelled exterior. You can learn how each team approached the design challenge at the DOE site....

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2011/09/video-solar-decathlon-is-10-days-of-imagination-and-innovation?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-September14-2011

DOE site:
http://www.solardecathlon.gov/teams.html

[kristopher]

1. Team China: Tongji University - Y Container

Team China: Tongji University

A computer-generated rendering of Team China's Y Container (Courtesy of Team China)



A video walkthrough of Team China's Solar Decathlon house (ZIP 237 MB)
Construction Documents

Project Manual (PDF 17 MB)
Construction Drawings (PDF 11 MB)
Menu and Recipes (PDF 2 MB)


Team website: solardecathlon.tongji.edu.cn

Team China's U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 entry, Y Container, combines six recycled shipping containers into a succinct, Y-shaped solar house. Y Container is easy to transport, assemble, and expand—providing the freedom to live anywhere with low costs and clean energy. It is a living house that can contain the energy, water, and plants required for an individual to enjoy an independent and natural lifestyle.
Design Philosophy

Team China designed its solar house not only as a highly integrated solution for supplying energy and water but also as an answer to financial and transportation challenges. The team's design transforms prefabricated shipping containers into a modern living environment. Founded on the expectation that one can live anywhere freely, Y Container uses these standard modules and special conjunction components to help people expand their living space according to their wishes.
Features

The architecture of Y Container features:
An expandable and blended space that provides divided functional areas linked through a consecutive spatial sequence
More opportunities to view the varying landscapes created in different sections of the yard....

More at: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/team_china.html

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. No interest?

People, the 2011 Decathlon starts in two days. I have been to all the others, which were held on the Mall. This year, there's a change in venue. so it will be harder for me to get to this one.

Event Schedule

Public Exhibit Hours
The Solar Decathlon houses and surrounding solar village are open Sept. 23–Oct. 2, 2011.

Weekday hours: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Weekend hours: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Get directions to the Solar Decathlon 2011 site, see the free public shuttle schedule, or learn more about tours of the houses and village.

2011 Solar Decathlon

Four stars, two thumbs up, whatever you want to give this. Please go see this if you can. The crowds grow every year. This is an event not to be missed.

[kristopher]

3. i'm fairly sure I'm going to go - it will be the first time.

I couldn't make it last time, but I vowed I'd go this year and so far it looks like I'll be able to make it.

Thank you for the information; it is very helpful.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. You're welcome.

I don't think the weather is going to cooperate, but overcast skies are something to be taken into consideration in the design of the houses. It's nice if they work on bright, sunny days, but they have to work when it's cloudy too. I can tell you that, rain or not, there will be lines to get into the houses.

Solar Decathlon Contests

I wish the National Park Service had allowed the houses to be displayed on the Mall, as they have been in the past. This year's location is farther away from the Metro than the Mall location. Bicycle access will be no problem.

I emailed the person at the Department of Energy who gave me fliers two years ago, in hopes that he would have something I could post at local public libraries. He will be getting some today at the event.