Old Dominion University
IN-1: Innovation 1

Solar Decathlon:

The Solar Decathlon is an international competition sponsored by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and the Department of Energy (DOE) in which twenty collegiate teams are selected to design, build, and operate a solar powered home that is cost-effective, energy efficient, and esthetically pleasing. The first competition was held in 2002 when teams brought their full scale, fully functional home to the National Mall in Washington, DC where they were judged in ten different categories and open for public tours for two weeks. Since then, three more competitions have been held. The purpose of the Solar Decathlon is to demonstrate to the public that energy-efficient homes are a plausible option for living as well as completely immerse students and faculty in sustainable living design and education. The competition is geared towards the students. It is expected that they receive outside help and advice during the design and build phase, but ultimately they must understand the process and be able to operate the home once constructed.

In the spring of 2009, students from Old Dominion University and Hampton University decided to do something that neither University had done before - submit a proposal for the Solar Decathlon 2011. On April 15, 2010 it was announced that the two Universities were selected as “Team Tidewater Virginia” to participate in the competition the following year. Engineering students and faculty from Old Dominion University, architecture students and faculty from Hampton University, and communications/marketing students from both universities have been working collaboratively ever since to develop their design and build the final product to take to Washington, DC for the competition in September 2011.

Both universities have been able to integrate the project into course curriculum. Twice a week students from both universities meet for class where they can discuss designs across disciplines. Professionals with experience in homebuilding, green living, construction, model building, and specification writing as well as vendors of electronics and windows have come to the class to share their expertise with the students. A design studio located off campus allows students to meet for extended periods of time for discussions and learning. Local companies and businesses have been very supportive of the project and have met with students to share their expertise on various subjects pertaining to sustainable living. Students have also been able to observe the construction of a LEED certified home in the Hampton Roads area.

This project has provided students at Old Dominion University with an educational experience they could never receive solely in a classroom. They have been able to apply their education to an extremely real project. They have been able to make decisions and see those decisions implemented. The team has learned first-hand the benefits and challenges of creating a sustainable home and has been able to construct portions of their design. They have been exposed to the business aspect of such a project. The Solar Decathlon competition has provided students at Old Dominion University an incredible opportunity to learn about sustainability by designing and building a sustainable home.