The event is a live demonstration of energy-efficient design, clean energy technologies, smart home solutions, water conservation measures, electric vehicles, and sustainable materials. Solar Decathlon 2017 will also feature a sustainability expo and professional, consumer, and middle-school education events.
This international competition has been a driving force in creating renewable energy and energy efficiency awareness since its inception. The first Solar Decathlon was held in 2002; the competition has since occurred biennially in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015.
One of the U.S. Department of Energy's most successful outreach efforts, the Solar Decathlon’s goals are to:
- Provide participating students with unique training that prepares them for the clean energy workforce
- Educate students and the public about the latest technologies and materials in energy-efficient design, clean energy technologies, smart home solutions, water conservation measures, electric vehicles and sustainable buildings
- Demonstrate to the public the comfort and savings of homes that combine energy-efficient construction, design, and appliances with onsite renewable energy production
The collegiate teams participating in the 2017 Decathlon have spent almost two years designing and building energy-efficient houses powered by the sun. In the final competition, the teams and their houses go head to head in 10 contests to determine an overall winner.
For the first time in the event's history, teams are eligible for cash prizes. Each team that successfully builds a solar house at the competition site will receive at least $100,000 for rising to the challenge, and top finishers will receive significantly more.
These teams will compete in Solar Decathlon 2017:
- Las Vegas: University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Maryland: University of Maryland (College Park, Maryland)
- Missouri S&T: Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla, Missouri)
- Netherlands: HU University of Applied Science Utrecht (Utrecht, Netherlands)
- Northwestern: Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois)
- Swiss Team: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, School of Engineering and Architecture Fribourg, Geneva University of Art and Design, and the University of Fribourg (Lausanne, Switzerland)
- Team Alabama: University of Alabama at Birmingham and Calhoun Community College (Birmingham, Alabama)
- Team Daytona Beach: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Daytona State College (Daytona Beach, Florida)
- UC Berkeley/U of Denver: University of California at Berkeley and University of Denver (Berkeley, California)
- UC Davis: University of California, Davis (Davis, California)
- Wash U – St. Louis: Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri)
- Washington State: Washington State University (Pullman, Washington)
- West Virginia: West Virginia University (Morgantown, West Virginia).
