Solar Decathlon

The winners are selected based for the best blending of design architectural and engineering excellence with innovation, market potential, building efficiency, and smart energy production.

The Solar Decathlon provides a hands-on experience and unique training that prepares the competing students to enter the clean energy workforce.

Technologies and solutions used in Solar Decathlon homes have advanced the residential building industry both in the United States and abroad.

In addition to the competition, Solar Decathlon 2017 also featured a sustainability expo, professional development and consumer workshops, and middle-school education events.

[2] Open to the public and free of charge, the Solar Decathlon allows visitors to tour energy- and water-efficient houses, and gather ideas to save energy and conserve water in their own homes.

[8][9] Solar Decathlon Latin America and Caribbean was established under a memorandum of understanding between the United States Department of Energy and the government of Colombia in 2014.

Fourteen teams from across the United States, including Puerto Rico, presented their projects on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

At the second Solar Decathlon, likewise held on the National Mall on October 6–16, 2005, 18 teams from the United States, Canada, and Spain participated; the University of Colorado successfully defended its championship.

The fifth Solar Decathlon took place between September 23 and October 2, 2011, with nineteen participating teams representing the United States, China, New Zealand, Belgium, and Canada.

Eleven teams competed to design, build, and operate the most cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive solar-powered house.