CEIL's GOVgreen is excited to showcase four of the top colleges competing in the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. Visit the exclusive area on the show floor to view the models of solar-powered houses designed and built to be cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive!
Check them out this year at GOVgreen!
Appalachian State University – The Solar Homestead
Appalachian State University was inspired by traditional Appalachian settlements for its U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 entry. Solar Homestead is composed of multiple buildings that form a self-sufficient ensemble. Six outbuilding modules connect to form the Great Porch, an outdoor living space protected by an 8.2-kW trellis of bifacial solar cells. Inside, the 864-ft2 (80-m2) house features two bedrooms, a day-lit bathroom, energy-efficient appliances, and a versatile living and dining area. The Solar Homestead also includes an independent 120-ft2 (11-m2) Flex Space that can be used for a variety of purposes, including home office, art studio, or guest quarters.
Self-Reliance, Middlebury College's U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 entry, is a two-bedroom, ultra-efficient, 990-ft2 house designed for a family of four. It features a green wall for growing plants, open family living space, and healthy building materials. Its traditional gable, or peaked roof, is a familiar form that holds a 7.2-kW photovoltaic array.
The INhome, Purdue University's U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 entry, offers a realistic and balanced vision for ultra-efficient housing. The INhome—short for Indiana home—is an innovative, yet practical, house that meets the needs of a typical Midwestern consumer in today's cost-competitive residential market.
The Ohio State University's U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon entry, enCORE, presents a family-friendly solution for residential needs while addressing the world's growing energy problem. enCORE features living spaces arranged around a central core that contains the house's mechanical and plumbing systems. The flexible, interconnected design gives this 930-ft2 (86-m2) solar-powered house the same functionality and livability of projects much larger in size and budget.
