Applications are open for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon®! Join two upcoming events to learn about a collegiate competition that prepares the next generation of building professionals to design and build high-performance, low-carbon buildings powered by renewables.
Informational Webinar
Kick-start your Solar Decathlon competition by joining us for an informative webinar on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Mountain Time. This webinar will provide you with all the information necessary to learn about both the Design Challenge and the Build Challenge and to understand the application process and competition specifics. Register for the webinar here.
Ready, Set, Solar Decathlon Event
Want to learn more? Join us for a virtual Ready, Set, Solar Decathlon Event on September 16, 2021. All students and faculty interested in participating are welcome to attend. This interactive event will cover:
- Overview of competition structure and expectations
- Resources available to support participating teams, including Building Science Education, software licenses, and the Mentor Program
- Words of wisdom from Solar Decathlon Alumni
- Panel with experienced faculty sharing best practices.
- Design Challenge Division changes, including a new Retrofit Housing Division
- Build Challenge local-build format, with teams constructing, measuring, and showcasing homes in their local communities.
The Solar Decathlon Competition Guide, 2022 Design Challenge Rules, and 2023 Build Challenge Rules are now available to the public. All collegiate institutions are encouraged to apply to participate in the next edition of Solar Decathlon by October 26, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Team Applications can be submitted for both the Design Challenge and the Build Challenge.
The 2022 Design Challenge Finalist Teams and 2023 Build Challenge Participating Teams will present their projects to juries of experts in April 2022, at the Solar Decathlon Competition Event hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. At that event, the 2022 Design Challenge winners will be selected, and 2023 Build Challenge Participating Teams will compete for approval to proceed to the construction phase. Up to 20 Build Challenge teams will receive funding which can be used to help defray a portion of their project costs.
About the Solar Decathlon
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is a collegiate competition that prepares the next generation of building professionals to design and build high-performance, low-carbon buildings powered by renewables. The Design Challenge is a one- to two-semester, design-only competition, while the Build Challenge is a two-year design-build competition.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022, the Solar Decathlon has challenged more than 20,000 students to create efficient, affordable buildings powered by renewables, while promoting student innovation, STEM education, and workforce development opportunities in the buildings industry.
Buildings account for 75% of electricity use, 40% of total energy use, and 35% of carbon emissions in the United States. Solar Decathlon supports a key strategy for tackling climate challenges—developing a workforce well equipped to design and construct a low-carbon building stock and to deliver an equitable clean energy future.
Additional details are available on the Solar Decathlon website.
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