The Solar Decathlon is a biennial international competition and public event where 20 university teams from around the world compete to build the design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house.  The event is the US Department of Energy’s premiere public event,  and attracts thousands of visitors to the National Mall in Washington D.C.

In 2007, the Solar Decathlon drew an estimated crowd of 200,000, and reached more than 647 million people around the world through online, TV, radio and print publication combined.

October 1, 2009  Teams arrive at the National Mall and begin assembly of their houses.

October 8, 2009  Competitions begin

October 9, 2009  Houses are open to the Public

October 19, 2009 Teams disassemble their houses.

1.

To educate the student participants - the "Decathletes" - about the benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy and green building technologies. As the next generation of engineers, builders, and communicators, the Decathletes will be able to use this knowledge in their studies and their future careers.

2.

To raise awareness among the general public about renewable energy and energy efficiency, and how solar energy technologies can reduce energy usage.

3.

To help solar energy technologies enter the marketplace faster. This competition encourages the research and development of energy efficiency and energy production technologies.

4.

To foster collaboration among students from different academic disciplines—including engineering and architecture students, who rarely work together until they enter the workplace.

5.

To promote an integrated or "whole building design" approach to new construction. This approach differs from the traditional design/build process because the design team considers the interactions of all building components and systems to create a more comfortable building, save energy, and reduce environmental impact.

6.

To demonstrate to the public the potential of Zero Energy Homes, which produce as much energy from renewable sources, such as the sun and wind, as they consume. Even though the home might be connected to a utility grid, it has net zero energy consumption from the utility provider.

Articles in 12 of the top 20 US newspapers, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Detailed coverage by CBS Sunday Morning, New Hour with Jim Lehrer, CNN, CNBC, and the CBS Radio Network.

Featured numerous times on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox across the US.

Regional coverage in New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Detroit, Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Portland, Springfield, Reno, Topeka and more than 60 additional cities.

Additional programming featured on 25 international and national stations and networks, including CNN, CNN International, CBS Sunday Morning, CNBC, PBS News Hour with Jim Lehrer, ABC News, Weather Channel, Sundance, Bloomberg, HGTV, Fox National, Discovery, Discovery Canada, Czech TV, Darmstadt, ZDF German, Alijazeera, Xinhaua, TV Portugal, Brazilian TV and El Nuevo Dia.

(image credit: Kaye Evans-Lutterodt)

Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman is interviewed by David Pogue for CBS Sunday Morning on October 15, 2007. Secretary Bodman kicked off the 2007 Solar Decathlon on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on October 12 and has visited the DOE-sponsored student competition every day since.

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