U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar DecathlonĀ® is a collegiate competition that has inspired thousands of students worldwide to enter the clean energy workforce since its inception in 2002. Today, the 10 contests that are the foundation of Solar Decathlon challenge students to design and build high-performance, low-carbon buildings that mitigate climate change and improve our quality of life through greater affordability, resilience, and energy efficiency.
Universities from around the world submit proposals with the hope of being accepted into the competition. If accepted, the competing teams must transport their designs or houses from their hometowns to the site of the Solar Decathlon. The winners are those teams that best blend architectural and engineering excellence with innovation.
Within the Solar Decathlon, there are two challenges that teams may choose to compete in: the Design Challenge (ANNUAL), or the Build Challenge (BI-ANNUAL). To date, the Solar House Design Team has competed in seven Build Challenges and two Design Challenges.
DESIGN CHALLENGE
The Design Challenge occurs each year, with the 2021 Design Challenge being the most recent that our team has participated in. Teams that compete in the Design Challenge are instructed to create a residential or commercial building design over one or two semesters. Design Challenge teams choose to compete in one of six Divisions:
- New Housing (NH)
- Retrofit Housing (RH)
- Attached Housing (AH)
- Multifamily Building (MB)
- Office Building (OB)
- Educational Building (EB)
BUILD CHALLENGE
The Build Challenge occurs every other year, with the 2017 Build Challenge being the most recent that our team has competed inn. Teams that compete in the Build Challenge work over a two year period to design, build, and operate their houses in their area. Those involved in the challenge compete to earn points in the following categories:
- Energy Performance
- Financial Feasibility & Affordability
- Architecture
- Market Potential
- Innovation
- Engineering
- Resilience
- Operations
- Comfort & Environmental Quality
- Presentation
For more information on the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, please visit www.solardecathlon.gov/
Previous U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Results
The Missouri S&T Solar House Design Team has competed in nine Solar Decathlons to date, the latest of which has just finished in April of 2021.
Design Challenge 2021, FLIGHT Home: 2nd Place
- Suburban Single-Family (SSF) Division
Click here to learn more about the FLIGHT Home
Design Challenge 2020, HIVE Student Dormitory:
- Mixed-Use Multifamily (MM) Division
Click here to learn more about HIVE
Build Challenge 2017, SILO: 4th Place
- Appliances: 3rd Place
- Architecture: 3rd Place
- Innovation: 3rd Place
- Communications: 4th Place
Click here to learn more about SILO
Build Challenge 2015, Nest Home: 5th Place
- Commuting: 1st Place
- Home Life: 3rd Place
- Appliances: 3rd Place
- Comfort Zone: 4th Place
Click here to learn more about the Nest Home
Build Challenge 2013, Chameleon House: 16th Place
- Energy Balance: 1st Place
- Affordability: 6th Place
- Engineering: 7th Place
Click here to learn more about Chameleon House
Build Challenge 2009, Expanding Horizons: 11th Place
- Hot Water: 7th Place
- Lighting Design: 8th Place
Click here to learn more about Expanding Horizons
Build Challenge 2007: 11th Place
- Market Viability: 4th Place
- Appliances: 5th Place
Click here to learn more about the 2007 House
Build ChallengeĀ 2005: 7th Place
- Energy Balance: 1st Place
- Architecture: 5th Place
- DIY Network “People’s Choice” Award
Click here to learn more about the 2005 House
Build Challenge 2002: 9th Place
- Refrigeration: 1st Place
- Energy Balance: 2nd Place
- Hot Water: 3rd Place
- Home Depot “Best Customer Service” Award