1. Christina DAmico

2. The Solar Decathlon is a competition and challenge between teams to design and build houses that are solar powered, energy efficient, and cost effective. The winner is the team who has best incorporated affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence, while all having ideal energy production and maximum efficiency.

3. The Solar Decathlon occurs every 2 years. The 2013 competition includes teams from the following colleges: Arizona State University and The University of New Mexico Czech Republic: Czech Technical University Kentucky/Indiana: University of Louisville, Ball State University and University of Kentucky Middlebury College Missouri University of Science and Technology Norwich University Santa Clara University Southern California Institute of Architecture and California Institute of Technology Stanford University Stevens Institute of Technology Team Alberta: University of Calgary Team Austria: Vienna University of Technology Team Capitol DC: The Catholic University of America, George Washington University, and American University Team Ontario: Queen's University, Carleton University, and Algonquin College Team Texas: The University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College Tidewater Virginia: Hampton University and Old Dominion University University of Nevada Las Vegas The University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of Southern California West Virginia University

4. Each decathlon has a set of 10 contests worth 100 points each. Each term earns points from task completion, monitored performance, and Jury evaluation. The ten contests include: Architecture Contest Market Appeal Contest Engineering Contest Communications Contest Affordability Contest Comfort Zone Contest Hot Water Contest Appliances Contest Home Entertainment Contest Energy Balance Contest

5. The Architecture Contests focuses on Architectural Elements, Holistic Design, Lighting, and Inspiration. While the Engineering Contest focuses on Functionality, Efficiency, Innovation, and Reliability

6. The next Solar Decathlon will be in 2013 at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine California.

7. Rules and Regulations Lots are 78 ft (23.8 m) east to west by 60 ft (18.3 m) north to south. Up to 18 in. (45.7 cm) of vertical elevation change may exist across a lot. Design and plan accordingly. Track-mounted equipment, such as vehicles, cranes, and forklifts, are prohibited at all times.

8. Appalachian State University

9. University Of Illinois

10. The Southern California Institute of Architecture and California Institute of Technology

11. All facts and photos from http://www.solardecathlon.gov/