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Energy Department Announces Student Teams, New Location for Solar Decathlon 2013

January 26th, 2012

At an event today in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the 20 collegiate teams selected to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 and unveiled the competition's location, the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. The 20 teams from colleges and universities across the United States and from around the world will now begin a two-year process to build solar-powered, highly energy-efficient homes that combine affordability, consumer appeal and design excellence. Throughout the two-year process, the teams will design, construct, and test their homes before reassembling them at the Solar Decathlon 2013 competition site. As part of the Solar Decathlon, teams compete in ten different categories—ranging from best architecture and engineering to energy production for heating and cooling—while gaining invaluable real-world experience in a growing global industry.

Aerial photo of Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California.

Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California.

"As President Obama made clear in the State of the Union address this week, we need to ensure that the next generation of America's architects, engineers and entrepreneurs have the hands-on experience and training they need to lead our nation's clean energy future," said Secretary Chu. "The Solar Decathlon will unleash the ingenuity, creativity, and drive from these talented students to demonstrate new ideas for how families and businesses can reduce energy use and save money with clean energy products and efficient building design."

In fall 2013, the student teams will showcase their solar-powered houses at the Orange County Great Park, highlighting renewable energy systems and energy-efficient technologies, products and appliances that are already available to homeowners. The selected teams and their proposed projects represent a diverse range of design approaches, building technologies, target markets, geographic locations, climates, and regions, including urban, suburban, and rural settings.

Since 2002, the National Mall in Washington, DC, has been the venue for five successful Solar Decathlons. For 2013, Solar Decathlon organizers decided to extend the competition's reach beyond Washington and showcase energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to a new group of visitors and sponsors. The Orange County Great Park, located between Los Angeles and San Diego, is a dynamic venue that can accommodate the 20 competition houses and the special needs of the Solar Decathlon event—featuring flexible space, ample visitor parking, existing facilities for large special events, and nearby services for visitors. With direct freeway and rail access and generally favorable weather conditions, the park will also ensure that residents across Southern California have an opportunity to experience the Solar Decathlon.

The following teams have been selected from around the world to compete in Solar Decathlon 2013:

  • Arizona State University and the University of New Mexico (Tempe, Ariz., and Albuquerque, N.M.)
  • Czech Technical University (Prague, Czech Republic)
  • Hampton University and Old Dominion University (Hampton and Norfolk, Va.)
  • Middlebury College (Middlebury, Vt.)
  • Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla, Mo.)
  • Norwich University (Northfield, Vt.)
  • Queens University, Carleton University, and Algonquin College (Kingston and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
  • Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, Calif.)
  • Southern California Institute of Architecture and California Institute of Technology (Los Angeles, Calif.)
  • Stanford University (Palo Alto, Calif.)
  • Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, N.J.)
  • The Catholic University of America, George Washington University, and American University (Washington, DC)
  • The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Charlotte, N.C.)
  • The University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College (El Paso, Texas)
  • University of Calgary (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
  • University of Louisville, Ball State University and University of Kentucky (Louisville, Ky.; Muncie, Ind.; and Lexington, Ky.)
  • University of Nevada Las Vegas (Las Vegas, Nev.)
  • University of Southern California (Los Angeles, Calif.)
  • Vienna University of Technology (Vienna, Austria)
  • West Virginia University (Morgantown, W. Va.)

Follow the progress of Solar Decathlon 2013 on Facebook, Twitter, and U.S. Department of Energy website. To learn more about the Solar Decathlon and take a virtual tour of Solar Decathlon 2011, visit the Solar Decathlon website.

DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy invests in clean energy technologies that strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. The Solar Decathlon supports the Administration's goal of creating a clean energy economy, while saving American families and businesses money and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Learn more on the Solar Decathlon website.

Originally posted on Energy.gov. View original.

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Posted in Solar, Websites

What is the Difference Between a Grid Tied Solar System and an Off Grid Solar System?

December 2nd, 2011

 

grid tie solar system What is the Difference Between a Grid Tied Solar System and an Off Grid Solar System?

Grid-tied is also referred to as grid interactive or utility interconnected. What this means basically is that if your utility allows it, your system would be connected through your meter to the electric grid. Most electricity meters accurately record in both directions, allowing a no-cost method of effectively banking excess electricity production for future credit. In the U.S.A., as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, all public electric utilities are now required to make available upon request net metering to their customers.

If you are producing more power than you are using, the electric meter will spin backwards which means you are producing excess electricity which is then being fed back into the grid. There are two basic types of grid tied solar systems, grid tied and grid tied with battery backup.

A grid-tied system is made up of solar panels, a grid tie inverter, and other electrical components. This is the least expensive and most logical choice if you live in an area which is serviced by the utilities. Since the power is not stored in batteries, as in an off grid solar system, there are no batteries to replace. However, this type of system provides no back-up power in case of power failure.

Grid-tied with battery backup is a type of solar system which is roughly the same as the grid tied system with a couple of additions. Along with the inverter and solar panels you would need 12 volt deep cycle batteries and a solar charge controller. With the addition of the batteries comes more expense and maintenance. A solar charge controller is used to maintain the proper charge to the batteries so that overcharging will not occur. Although this system is more expensive than a grid-tied solar system, it will provide you with at least some power in the event of a power failure.

Off-grid solar systems are completely independent of the utility grid. An off grid solar system is most often used in areas where electricity is not readily available. It is basically the same configuration as the grid tied solar system but a different type of inverter is used. In an off-grid system you would not use a grid-tie inverter but an off grid inverter. These inverters are designed for a specific purpose so it is very important that you get the right one. An off grid solar system will consist of the solar panels, off grid inverter, batteries and electrical components.

It is important to note that solar energy prices have been declining over the past few years. This is good news to those who have always wanted a solar system for their home or place of business but could not justify the cost. To sweeten the deal and encourage the use of renewable energy, there are also energy credits, federal incentives as well as state and local incentives that make solar not just affordable, but a bargain as utility costs continue to rise.

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Posted in DIY Solar Power, grid tied, off grid, Solar

Happy Hallogreen!

October 25th, 2011

With the fateful transition to cooler weather and Halloween just upon us, it is important to remember some key tips when preparing to have the most energy-efficient Halloween possible. From lighting, to pumpkin usage to heat insulation, there is something each of us can do to ensure minimal energy waste and maximum efficiency this October 31st. Here are a few ideas for a Happy Hallogreen:

Control your lighting – If you choose to stay in and hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, keep your energy usage down by turning the lights off in your house for the evening. Try using candles instead (pumpkin spice scented!) to illuminate the house and keep energy and spookiness alive.

If you’re hesitant to use candles in your home, consider purchasing energy-efficient LED string lighting in a variety of Halloween colors. You can purchase these at any major retailer or hardware store and they are great for decorating for holidays year round. I recently purchased compact fluorescent spiral light bulbs in orange black which are perfect for replacing the bulbs of small outdoor space lighting, such as patios or porches, and add to that truly eerie feel of Halloween. Learn more about your choices in energy-efficient lighting.

It is important to remember that even for a dark holiday the sun can still play a major role. Last year, my neighbor used a solar walkway lamp, instead of a candle, in his jack-o-lantern. Not only did he avoid candle mishaps and flame outages, his pumpkin looked great and he was able to use the opportunity to educate children about solar energy, while saving a substantial amount of energy himself. This is such a simple and cheap way to make Halloween fun and eco-friendly. A solar walkway lamp can be purchased for around $3 at most hardware stores.

Control your heat loss – One of the best gifts of any fall holiday is utilizing the fireplace as a viable heat source, but if you're not using yours, you want to be sure it isn't a source of heat loss in your home. I purchased glass doors for the wood burning fireplaces in my house which are designed to reduce airflow and thus heat loss. Your glass door should include a frame with adjustable air intake vents, tempered glass doors, an interior screen and a special bracket to secure the frame in place. To maximize your energy efficiency, keep the door closed during burning, which allows the fire to be better controlled and reduces the amount of radiant heat transfer into the room. Find more ways to reduce heat loss in your home during the winter.

If your home is sans fireplace, keep your thermostat on a moderate setting and prevent heat from escaping the house by closing the front door between trick-or-treater visits. Step outside and close the door each time, to maximize heat retention.

Control your waste – Unless you intend to use your pumpkin’s guts for a pie or hearty thanksgiving bread, consider composting your pumpkin after use. Best practices for composting large items like pumpkins is to smash up the item, allowing for more surface area to be covered. Take it a step further by raking up some of those beautiful fallen leaves and adding to the pile. For brave composters, add manure or a nitrogen supplement like bone meal.

Have a safe, happy and energy-efficient Halloween!

Kristin Swineford supports DOE's Weatherization & Intergovernmental Program in Communications & Outreach.

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Posted in Fireplaces, Lighting, Solar, Winter

Are You Ready for Fall?

October 21st, 2011

This week, Andrea talked about insulating her water heater tank in preparation for cooler weather (of course, that's something you can do any time of year to save money and energy at home). She also listed many other ways to reduce your water heating costs.

Erin blogged about something we don't often think about: the historical perspective of using renewable energy. For example, Leonardo da Vinci had designed a solar powered water heater among other things. As for geothermal energy, archaeological evidence shows that the first human use of geothermal resources in North America occurred more than 10,000 years ago.

Whether you're using renewables or energy efficiency (or both), what are you doing to prepare your home for cooler weather?

Each week, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a question about energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments.

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Posted in Geothermal, Question of the Week, Solar, Winter

Renewable Energy: A Centuries-old Tradition

October 17th, 2011

One of the benefits of living in the Nation’s capital is direct access to so many great museums. From outdoor works of art at the Sculpture Garden to live butterflies at the National History museum—there’s something out there to spark your interest and feed your curiosity.

Photo of geothermal power plant, taken in 1904.

First geothermal power plant, 1904, Lardarello Italy.

My personal favorite is the National Gallery of Art—there you can take free guided tours almost any day of the week. On a recent tour, a guide explained the significance and history of Ginevra de’ Benci—the only portrait by Leonardo da Vinci in the Western Hemisphere.

I learned that da Vinci—one of the most recognizable names in the world of art—was quite the Renaissance man. He was highly-skilled in an almost unimaginable variety of disciplines—including civil engineering, architecture, and even renewable energy. Yes, that’s right, an inventor as well as a painter—da Vinci’s sketches reveal an early concept for concentrated solar power (CSP):

“da Vinci drew designs for a large, curved mirror. The plan was for the mirror to concentrate the sun’s rays on to a boiler and heat water for dyeing cloth.” - Solar Power (Energy Sources) by Neil Morris

In the early 15th century, da Vinci had correctly hit on the essential concept behind CSP technology—using mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect the solar energy and convert it to heat.

It’s interesting; we often associate renewable energy as future, forward-thinking technology. However, just as in the case of da Vinci’s curved mirror – many of these technologies are based on centuries old concepts and inventions. Not convinced? Consider this—wind energy propelled boats along the Nile River as early as 5000 B.C.

And what about geothermal technology? Archaeological evidence shows that the first human use of geothermal resources in North America occurred more than 10,000 years ago. The first geothermal power plant was completed in Italy, over one hundred years ago, in 1904.

Much work remains to make renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, an affordable, viable option for more people. But learning more about the historical context of these “next-generation” technologies, their early uses in people’s lives long ago, is a worthwhile pursuit.

To all you the history buffs out there, if you know of any fun historical facts about the renewable energy technologies we use today, please share in the comments below.

Erin Pierce leads the New Media effort for the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

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Posted in Geothermal, Solar, Wind

What Do You Think About Solar Decathlon?

October 7th, 2011

Solar Decathlon 2011 ran from Sept. 23 - Oct. 2, and the event was a great success! This week we highlighted a story from the Solar Decathlon News Blog, which announced Appalachian State University as the winner of the People's Choice award. Drew gave us a thoughtful recap of the event and reminded us why DOE sponsors this bi-annual event:  Because the results can transform the world by using today's renewable technology to build the houses of tomorrow.

Did you get a chance to see the houses, or did you follow the teams on Facebook or their website? What did you think of the event?

Each week, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a question about energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments.

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Posted in Question of the Week, Solar

Thoughts on a Two-Year Race

October 5th, 2011

If you were in Washington, D.C. this past week, you probably heard about or even attended our biannual Solar Decathlon. This event started in 2002—one month after I started working at the Department of Energy, as a matter of fact—and has just completed its fifth iteration. What began as fourteen schools (well, really thirteen, since one never completed the event) building solar-powered pint-size houses on the National Mall has become an international happening; this year, we had teams from China, Belgium, New Zealand, and Canada competing against teams from Maryland (the winner, by the way), New York, New Jersey, TWO teams from Florida, Virginia and more.

Though the event had been held on the National Mall in times past, this year it was held on West Potomac Park, near the FDR Memorial. Crowd estimates have yet to come in for the event in total, but attendance seems to have been strong and house visits were close to 350,000.

Think about this: right this moment, the Solar Decathlon team is getting ready to sign up teams for 2013. Teams of volunteers will gather, plans will be drafted and fundraising begun. It’s the start of an all-new two-year race to the next event, even though this year’s houses aren’t fully disassembled yet. It takes that level of commitment, focus, and energy to make these things happen.

Why do it? Because the results can transform the world. Students are developing the next generation of building technology; add cutting-edge solar energy generation, and these are homes that have much less need for the nation’s electrical grid. They are creating residential areas that are unbelievably efficient and powered by renewable energy; these are literally the homes of tomorrow. But the secret is…they're using technologies that are available today. That's right—YOU can take advantage of these engineering marvels yourself.

And that’s what this race is all about. Not just a sprint to the next event, but a marathon as we move our entire nation into the future. It’s a race we’re all running, but these students—these amazing kids—are the ones taking the lead.

If you haven’t visited the event, you can catch the highlights by visiting the Solar Decathlon website. Make plans to visit in 2013. Details coming soon.

In the meantime, find out more about using solar energy in your home by visiting our website on Exploring Ways to Use Solar Energy.

Drew Bittner is the web project manager for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and co-chair of the Department of Energy's Web Council.

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Posted in Solar, Websites

Solar Decathlon: Appalachian State Wins People’s Choice Award

October 3rd, 2011

Originally posted on the Solar Decathlon News Blog on October 1, 2011. See original post

Appalachian State University won the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 People’s Choice Award for its Solar Homestead today. This award gives the public the opportunity to vote for its favorite house. This year, 92,538 votes were cast. The award was announced at a Victory Reception in the solar Village in West Potomac Park—the last official event of Solar Decathlon 2011.

Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu speaks with Jeffrey Tiller, left, and David Lee, right, members of Appalachian State’s Solar Decathlon team

On Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu spoke with Jeffrey Tiller, left, and David Lee, right, members of Appalachian State’s Solar Decathlon team. (Credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

“The team’s passion and enthusiasm were contagious,” said Terri Jones, Solar Decathlon Communications Contest official. “The People’s Choice Award is a popular vote, and I believe the Solar Homestead house and team appealed to people on many levels.”

The Solar Homestead is a self-sustaining net zero-energy house inspired by the pioneer spirit of the early settlers to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The isolation of early settlers to the Appalachian region fostered a pioneer spirit in those who established self-sustaining living/working compounds on the frontier. The Solar Homestead fuses these values into a highly energy-efficient home, which remains true to these underlying principles by integrating renewable resources and innovative technology into a prototype that is adaptable, self-sufficient, rugged, affordable, and attractive.

As announced earlier this week, Appalachian State also won second place in the Communications Contest and third place in the Architecture Contest. Appalachian State University is located in Boone, North Carolina.

Carol Anna is the communications manager of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

 

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Posted in Solar, Websites

This Month on Energy Savers: September 2011

September 30th, 2011

September is a month full of changes: it marks the switch from summer to fall, and from vacation to school. But it also means something really exciting - the DOE Solar Decathlon! We've been tracking the event and showing you what's going on over the past couple of weeks. See what's been happening on the blog:

New or Notable on Energy Savers

  • Solar Decathlon 2011: The event runs Sept. 23 - Oct 2 in West Potomac Park in Washington D.C. Check it out if you have a chance!
  • The seasonal switch to fall has begun on Energy Savers. Read our tips to help you get prepared for saving energy and money in the cooler weather.

On the Blog, In Case You Missed It…

This Month

Weekly Questions—Did You Share Your Answer?

From the Archives:

Comment Spotlight

  • Recycle Gal commented on See you Friday at the Solar Decathlon?: "This is a fantastic way to build awareness, sounds like the event will be educational and fun! Would love to do something like this."
    And Tony commented: "I think this is a tremendous initiative from the Department and it is good to see that the young participants are putting everything into creating designs for today. I would like to see similar initiatives here in Australia and I will apply pressure to the Australian Government, through my web site, to encourage innovative design and construction along these lines. I hope that this is something I will see with some regularityand I take my hat off to you at the US Department of Energy."
  • Nirupama commented on Are You Interested in a Clean Energy Career?: "I have a Masters in Mechanical Engineering and am working with a nonprofit to help small businesses become energy efficient by conducting comprehensive energy audits. I also have experience with using energy modelling tools, benchmarking, billing analysis. I have good knowledge of the incentive programs for the state and the city. I'm looking to work for a contractor as an Energy Engineer."

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Posted in Energy Careers, Solar, Summer, This Month on Energy Savers

What Do You Wish You Knew About Home Solar Energy?

September 28th, 2011

Solar Decathlon 2011 is in full swing, and the Energy Savers blog is all about home solar energy during the event! If you aren’t familiar with it, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The event is fun, informative, and fascinating.

We want to know what you’d like to know: What do you wish you knew about home solar energy? We’ll try to answer your questions in the comment section of the blog, or give you links you can use to find out!

Each week, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a question about energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments.

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Posted in Question of the Week, Solar