A group of WSU students enrolled in architecture, construction management, interior design and engineering programs are disassembling their homemade solar home for its trip on flatbed trucks to Washington D.C.
Set to depart Friday, Sept. 23, the home will be on display as part of a solar village—part of the national Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon competition starting Oct. 7 on the National Mall.
Participants were required to design and build a 500-800 square-foot house with all the modern conveniences powered by solar energy, including heating and air conditioning, refrigeration, hot water, lighting, appliances and communications. The homes are judged on their energy production, efficiency and design.
Of 18 teams from throughout the world participating in the competition, WSU is the only competitor from the Northwest.
After the Solar Decathlon competition, the home will be on permanent display in Seattle’s Magnuson Park, where it will be used as a solar testing facility and for educational purposes.