Each year, the U.S. Department of Energy challenges collegiates to design and build a functional, fully solar powered home. This challenge, which consists of ten different tests, is known as the Solar Decathlon. Facing the challenge of creating the most water and energy-efficient structure, teams must come up with an end product that is market-worthy, innovative in design and function, and utilizes only smart energy.
While the Solar Decathlon is designed as a rewarding competition and a way to gain insight into new ideas, it is also a highly advantageous event for those individuals involved. Students who are involved in the Solar Decathlon reap the advantages of:
- Learning about clean energy design
- Preparing them to enter the clean energy workforce
- Understanding clean energy technology and efficiency
During the Solar Decathlon, participants must create a fully functional home prototype that operates using clean energy. However, they must also be able to demonstrate clean energy processes and technologies that are geared toward a particular chosen market. All of this is completed at the competition site where the prototype is erected in place for display and judging.
This year for the 2017 Solar Decathlon, our team at Pro Lift was proud to assist the University of Denver/UC Berkeley team with the challenge. We were thrilled to be on site during the setup of the created home that the students worked so hard to complete. We used one of our 90-ton cranes to help set the completed house in place for the participants. Take a look at the pictures below to see the progress and completed project:
This year, 11 teams participated in the event. We are happy to announce that the DU/UC Berkeley team came in third in the Solar Decathlon 2017 competition. DU developed a modular home prototype specifically suited for the Richmond, California area. Their model, deemed as the RISE house, featured stackable floors, flexible walls, and moveable features that supported communal living. For more information about the house and the event, be sure to visit DU’s Solar Decathlon page.
