What is it? Why are we participating? What’s being done Overview

What is the Solar Decathlon? An international, student-lead competition of 20 colleges working to Design, Finance, Construct, Test and Operate net-zero energy houses. Decathlon – 10 events Net – Zero Energy House - on an annual basis it generates and puts back onto the utility grid as much (or more) electricity than it takes from it. Objectives –Build capacity – technical and physical –Demonstrate net-zero energy houses are feasible –Show that these houses can be attractive and marketable

Houses are less than 800 square foot living space - Must be at least 450 square feet. The team-constructed houses are built on their home campuses. They are then transported and assembled on the National Mall. There they will be evaluated in ten areas testing the next generation of net-zero energy solar-powered homes. It is a tremendous media event – 2007 event had over 1 billion media impressions What is the Solar Decathlon?

An interdisciplinary project - thus will enhance interdisciplinary learning and inter-professional training, A project which can directly be applied in classroom and homework projects, Addresses an issue which has significant personal impact on everyone – will engage research and scholarship which addresses significant, current and relevant problems that face the Commonwealth, Can have significant undergraduate and graduate applied research projects, Will prepare students with knowledge for leadership in a growing economy, Why is UK Participating?

Enhance UK stature among peers by participating in an elite international group competition due to its very high visibility and significant PR upside potential (>1 Billion impressions), Will be an intellectual endeavor that improves communities across the Commonwealth by demonstrating that sustainable net-zero energy houses are possible in Kentucky, Builds upon current research and teaching strengths in the emerging interests of sustainable, energy efficient building design and construction, and Can serve as an economic development partner by providing intellectual and research materials which will be used by qualified students in a developing industry Additional UK Objectives

The 10 Decathlon Contests (2009) (1000 points possible) Jury Evaluated 1.Architecture100 pts 2.Market Viability100 pts 3.Engineering100 pts 4.Lighting Design 75 pts 5.Communications 75 pts

The 10 Decathlon Contests (2009) Measured/Metered Contests 6.Comfort Zone100 pts 72-76F, 40-55%RH 7.Hot Water100 pts 3-15gallon 8.Appliances100 pts Frig (34 to 40F), Freezer (-20 to -5F),wash & dry 10 loads of clothes, wash 5 loads of dishes 9.Home Entertainment100 pts Cooking, lighting, public exhibit, home theater 10.Net-Metering (Grid tied – no batteries) Energy Balance100 pts (NZE) Energy Surplus 50 pts (% of max house)

2009 Teams 1.Boston Architectural College/Tufts 2.Cornell ’07 3.Darmstad (Germany) ‘07 4.Illinois ‘07 5.Iowa State University 6.Madrid ‘07 7.Missouri Rolla (S&T) ‘07 8.Ohio State 9.Penn State ‘07 10.Puerto Rico ‘07 11.Rice University 12.Santa Clara ‘07 13.Team North (Calgary/SAIT/Mount Royal) 14.Team Ontario (Waterloo/Ryerson/Simon Fraser) 15.University of Arizona 16.University of Kentucky 17.University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18.University of Minnesota 19.Univ. of Wisconsin – Milwaukee 20.Virginia Tech ‘05

Communications Architecture Engineering –PV / Electrical Distribution –PV Cooling –Water Heating –HVAC –Energy Management –Frame & Deployment UK Teams

Concepts Living under the sun Connection with our surroundings “Floating roof” Utilize many KY products Setup / deployment quick and easy Self contained ADA Compliant

Quick deployment (96 hrs) Restricted space – vertical, horizontal –Shipping –On site Large visitor latent loads & quick recovery No liquid cooling for PV (Safety issues) No batteries Cost ADA accessible “Non-Typical” Design Constraints

Quick deployment (96 hrs)Quick deployment (96 hrs) Restricted space – vertical, horizontalRestricted space – vertical, horizontal –Shipping –On site Large visitor latent loads & quick recoveryLarge visitor latent loads & quick recovery No liquid cooling for PVNo liquid cooling for PV No batteriesNo batteries CostCost Not “Non-Typical” Superior Learning Opportunities “Non-Typical” Design Constraints ??

Unique Features 11 KW Photovoltaics (36 panels 305W) kW on front 4 Inverters Single axis tracking (Altitude) Evacuated tube solar water heater Water source heat pump(s) Water thermal storage tank Central switched circuits for chargers Extensive use of high efficiency lighting Electrochromic glass Weather-forecast-based control optimization …

2009 Solar Decathlon Schedule Proposals delivered to NREL Dec 2007 Awardees announced Jan 2008 ($100K given to 20 schools) Fundraising 2/08-9/09 ($ K needed) Start Construction – Spring 2009 Testing – Late Summer 2009 Competition – Oct 1-21,

Uses after the ’09 Solar Decathlon World Equestrian Games State Fair Home Shows Test and Experimental Uses 2009

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