Solar Decathlon! Oct 12-20

The Solar Decathlon is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's
Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) and partners to
promote the development and adoption of solar power and energy
efficiency in buildings. Twenty teams of university students will erect
solar-powered homes that they have designed and constructed to create a
solar village on the Mall. The houses are required to derive all of
their energy from the sun, as well as achieving high architectural
design standards, and the teams compete in ten contests that measure how
well they meet this challenge.

The solar village houses and educational exhibits will be open to the
public daily from Friday, October 12 through Saturday, October 20,
except that the houses will be closed for competition purposes on
Wednesday, October 17. The solar village will be constructed between
10th Street and 14th street, and between Madison Drive and Jefferson
Drive on the Mall. For further information, please see the website at
www.solardecathlon.org.

The Solar Decathlons in 2002 and 2005 were educational, inspirational,
and reflected increasing technical sophistication. From Allan's position
in EERE and Pete's perch as an enthusiastic observer, we are excited
about the Decathlon and think you will find this year's competition very
worthwhile. Please pass this along to your colleagues.