Solar Decathlon 2013 Shines in Its New California Home

<strong>Team Austria, Vienna Institute of Technology </strong><br />Flexible design was the key tenet of the first-place winner—it can be built as a stand-alone residence or as a component in a — Solar Decathlon Shines in Its New California Home
**Team Austria, Vienna Institute of Technology**
Flexible design was the key tenet of the first-place winner—it can be built as a stand-alone residence or as a component in a multifamily design. Triple-glazed walls and an automated screen and awning system keep out heat while letting in plenty of sunlight at the right time of day. In the bath, a shower tray that recovers heat cuts the demand for hot-water heating by roughly a third. A gracious wooden ramp forms a welcoming and accessible entryway.
Photo © Jason Flakes/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

<strong>University of Nevada, Las Vegas </strong><br /> A generous kitchen is the centerpiece of this house, designed to be a vacation getaway in the southwestern U.S. (it will become an exhibit and — Solar Decathlon Shines in Its New California Home
**University of Nevada, Las Vegas**
A generous kitchen is the centerpiece of this house, designed to be a vacation getaway in the southwestern U.S. (it will become an exhibit and education center at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve following the Decathlon). Cooking here actually conserves water: every time the cold water tap is turned on, unused water flows to the house’s sprinkler system to ensure that it always has a fresh supply. Resource-saving appliances were used throughout, including a dishwasher that exceeds Energy Star requirements for water savings by 68 percent.
Photo © Jason Flakes/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

<strong>Czech Technical University </strong><br />This house was designed for empty-nesters as a country weekend getaway-turned-permanent-residence. It placed third overall and took first place in the — Solar Decathlon Shines in Its New California Home
**Czech Technical University**
This house was designed for empty-nesters as a country weekend getaway-turned-permanent-residence. It placed third overall and took first place in the architecture contest. Its primary material is wood sourced near the university, including spruce for its structure and canopy, birch plywood for its finishes and furniture, and wood-fiber insulation. The solar canopy supports photovoltaic panels. Other features include a chilled ceiling system to prevent indoor temperatures from skyrocketing.
Photo © Jason Flakes/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

<strong>Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey </strong><br />The 980-square-foot house, which placed fourth overall, was the only one in the competition with solar shingles. They are in — Solar Decathlon Shines in Its New California Home
**Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey**
The 980-square-foot house, which placed fourth overall, was the only one in the competition with solar shingles. They are installed on the deeply overhanging roof, which shelters two generous decks. The home also features a unique liquid desiccant system that removes moisture from incoming air using less than a third of the energy needed by traditional dehumidifiers. The student design team was awarded a patent for the technology.
Photo © Jason Flakes/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

Solar Decathlon Shines in Its New California Home
A team from the Vienna Institute of Technology took home the top prize in the U.S. Department of Energy’s sixth Solar Decathlon.
Photo © Jason Flakes/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

A team from the Vienna Institute of Technology, competing in the U.S. for the first time, took home top honors in the Department of Energy’s sixth Solar Decathlon. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, finished second, and Czech Technical University placed third overall.

The event took place from October 3 to 13 in Irvine, California. The winners were chosen based on cumulative scores from 10 different contests, including architecture, engineering, affordability, and market appeal. Unlike results in years past for this U.S. competition, only a few points separated each of the top six finishers from one another. “The sunny weather was certainly conducive to energy generation, but that’s not the only factor that influences the scoring,” says Amy Gardner, a juror for the architecture contest who was the faculty advisor to the first-place Decathlon team from the University of Maryland in 2011.

The Decathlon’s organizers decided to shake things up a bit this time by moving the event from its former site in Washington, D.C., to Southern California. More than 60,000 visitors toured the 19 houses erected by students at Irvine’s Orange County Great Park. The hot, dry climate is a good proving ground for solar energy and water-conservation strategies; the next Decathlon, slated for 2015, will take place at the same venue.

Click on the slideshow above for details on some of the projects.