Solar Homes Arrive on the National Mall for Decathlon

[jpak]

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/oct2007/2007-10-02-096.asp

WASHINGTON, DC, October 2, 2007 (ENS) - Partially constructed solar homes designed and built by teams from 20 universities from across the United States and around the world have arrived on the National Mall in Washington, where the U.S. Energy Department's third Solar Decathlon opens October 12.

The homes have been in development for the past two years, but now the teams are rushing to reconstruct them on the Mall and to hook up their electrical, plumbing, hot water, and heating and cooling systems.

The homes, which are powered and heated only with solar energy, will be judged in 10 contests - architecture, engineering, livability, lighting, cooking, comfort, water heating, appliances, and power generation for space heating and cooling.

This year's competition features a new contest called market viability, which will evaluate each home's market appeal, its ability to meet expectations of potential homeowners, and the cost effectiveness of its construction.

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