BP Solar Decathlon

I don't know if I've been living under a rock, but I had never heard of the BP Solar Decathlon until today. It's a fascinating event, pitting twenty teams in a competition to design, build, and operate a solar-powered home. Selected by the US Department of Energy, the teams are from colleges and universities around the world.

Not only must the teams use only solar energy to generate enough electricity to run the homes, their designs must be attractive and livable. Each house must maintain a comfortable temperature, provide sufficient lighting, generate enough power for cooking, cleaning, and home electronics, and provide hot water. In addition, they also need to be able to power an electric vehicle.

For the competition, the houses will be transported to the National Mall in Washington, DC where they will create a solar village. From October 11 - 19, the teams will compete in ten contests, scored by experts in architecture, engineering, and other related fields. No easy feat, the ten contests are:
* Architecture — 200 points
* Engineering — 150 points
* Market Viability — 150 points
* Communications — 100 points
* Comfort Zone — 100 points
* Appliances — 100 points
* Hot Water — 100 points
* Lighting — 100 points
* Energy Balance — 100 points
* Getting Around — 100 points

For more information on this event, BP has created the BP Solar Decathlon Blog in which a reporter and all of the teams will post throughout the competition. The blog also has information about each of the teams, spectator events, and alternative energy resources for you and your home.

If you're going to be in the Washington DC area between the 11th and the 19th, be sure to check out the general event information for times and locations. I can't imagine what these houses will be like. But I would love to be there.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules