Solar Decathlon 2007

What is that?

It’s a competition, now held every other year (this was the third Decathlon since 2002). It’s produced by the Department of Energy as a showcase for the latest high-tech solar homes—designed and built by college students.

The 1st prize winner is from Germany, the University of Darmstadt’s amazing house (pic above) was a glass cube wrapped on all sides by what looked like beautiful wooden shutters. Germany is really into solar power. By German law, if you have solar panels, the power company must buy any excess electricity you generate. As a result, families routinely pocket a handy $100 or $150 a month—from the local utility. There’s a gold rush for roof space, and solar technology is a red-hot market. It’s brilliant.

Check out some of the cool homes, they will work just fine with our weather, won't they? :)

read on >>

watch video of the winning house >>