UM Students to Compete in Solar Decathlon

A cross-disciplinary team from the University of Maryland was chosen to be one of twenty to compete in the 2002 Solar Decathlon. This two-year planning, design, and building project culminates with a one-week contest on the National Mall in Washington, DC in the fall of 2002.

Competitors will be required to provide all the energy for an entire household, including a home-based business and the transportation needs of the household and business. During the week of the event, only the solar energy available within the perimeter of each house may be used to generate the power needed to compete in the Solar Decathlon contests.

The Solar Decathlon will consist of ten contests designed to test inventive thinking and leadership skills as students develop creative architectural and scientific solutions to the challenge of designing and constructing the most effective solar-powered home. Tomorrow's scientists, engineers, architects, and entrepreneurs will gain hands-on experience in research and development of energy-efficient products and solar energy technologies.

Published March 12, 2001