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Germany Wins Solar Decathlon

solar-decathlon
For the past week, 20 teams took over the National Mall with their best attempts at a net-zero, solar-powered home, all with hopes to win this year's Solar Decathlon.  Today, after competing in ten different contests, the winners were crowned, and for the second time, Germany took first place.

The cube-shaped surPLUShome, covered on all sides by dark metallic solar panels, produces more than twice the energy it uses.  The roof is covered with single-crystal silicon panels and the sides with thin-film copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) panels.  The entire system has a capacity of 11.1 kW.

Just as impressive was the efficiency of the home.  The team got a perfect score in the Net Metering contest.  Features like one large multi-purpose room with different "zones" instead of separated rooms, vacuum insulation structural panels, a boiler/heat pump system for hot water and heat and louver-covered windows created an energy-sipping home.

Two U.S. teams also placed in the competition:  Team Illinois took second and Team California took third.  All of the entries showcased innovative and beautiful designs.  Check out virtual tours of all the entries here and let the inspiration begin.

via Inhabitat

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Comments (25)Add Comment
0
Nature and Technology
written by Matt, October 16, 2009
Very interesting and using all that nature has to offer in a very technical way. Great tours!
0
Cost?
written by Doc Rings, October 17, 2009
What would it cost with today's prices for this home?

Surely some economics played into the score... will check that out at the links...

Cheers,
Doc
0
...
written by EV, October 17, 2009
Surely some economics played into the score... will check that out at the links...

Not really. One of the reasons the German entry was covered in solar panels is that the contest awarded an overwelming amount of extra points for energy produced above that used in the house. So, it pretty much came down to who could generate the most electricity, regardless of cost.
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Orange Tiles
written by Greeny Shoe, October 18, 2009
The orange tiles between the black solar panels make the whole design more appealing.

They could have used more of those to make some nice pixel art !
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Heat Island
written by niels, October 18, 2009
I'm wondering what the "urban heat island effect" of such a black box is. I can image the whole could cause quite an extreme micro climate.. Any papers on this regarding PV use?
0
expensive solar panels
written by Mick, October 18, 2009
I am also wondering how much those solar tiles cost. There is a correlation between the price of the tiles and the amount of energy used to create them. Great that they are energy positive with this design. The next step of course is to try to do that in an affordable way. If the price were right I would want one of these right away!
-m
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written by UGG Bailey Button boots, October 19, 2009
Surely some economics played into the score
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important
written by Dan, October 19, 2009
These competitions are quite important.
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fittings
written by fittings, October 20, 2009
In my mind,Germany is a very strong country,I think it can found this contrivance is very well.
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valves
written by ball valves, October 20, 2009
Congratulation with Germany.very good and very well with solar.
0
...
written by radiators, October 20, 2009
It is no surprise that Germany has won this prestigious award. In certain aspects Germany seems to be leaps and bounds ahead of most other countries.
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When will the US catch up?
written by Green Ninja, October 20, 2009
Kudos to the German team for their innovative and sleek design. The EU in general always seems to be step ahead of us in the US with regards to climate change and energy efficiency initiatives.

As mentioned before, price is going to be a huge deterrent from mainstream adoption of totally energy-independent homes, however, if the square footage is substantially less (which any green home should be if it's truly going to have a lower impact), than the value may be comparable to some current market values within affordable ranges....let's start building and see what happens!
0
...
written by Richard, October 21, 2009
It's great that people are investing in the promotion of alternative sources of electricity. Not only are we able to tell everyone about the condition of the planet. We're also able to compete and have fun. Kudos Germany!
0
good
written by butterfly valves, October 21, 2009
Germany do well in this site, very good,I believe it will do well.
0
solar
written by valves manufacturer, October 21, 2009
We have a team about solar street light, If I have time I am free I will go to Germany to have a look.
0
...
written by kitchen Waste Bins, October 21, 2009
German has done pretty good
0
Germany will again rule Europe
written by Fred, October 21, 2009
Germany is rising again out of the ashes of defeat at the hands of the English and their friends. This time we will not be beaten.
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written by diesel jeans, October 23, 2009
Cool website, like what I have read. Will definitely be back to read again.
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written by tiffany jewelry, October 23, 2009
es, however, if the square footage is substantially less (which any green home should be if it's truly going to have a lower impact), than the value may be comparable to some current market values within affordable ranges....let's start building and see what happens!
0
Green homes
written by Captain Green Jeans, October 25, 2009
I like the solar panels Germany used. We have got to get the cost down. The more companies that make them the better. If Utility companys helped subsidize the home improvement. Where all the money made by selling energy back to the grid would repay the utility company I think this new technology would catch on fast. But we have got to improve the design and manufacturing process to lower cost. Build the green communities first then connect them to a national grid if needed. But if the communities are generating electricity why is a National grid needed? One may be needed down the road IMO but to build it first is like pulling the cart before the horse. People will have to relocate close to it or not develop their buisness or home. If Green communities are established they could connect to green buisness districts last mile smart cables would be cheaper and more cost effective if States knew the upfront cost for bonds and where they were going to be connected. The East coast from Boston to N.Y. has started. Check out Beacon Power Flywheel technology. If a national energy grid is needed it will have to be re-thought out due to the fact that municipalities all over the country are starting their own projects so a national grid would stop and start and zig zag or take ten years to build. If we can generate our own electricity the new national green energy grid would be welcomed by a green wired local green energy community.
0
5.5 kW?
written by Daniel, October 26, 2009
At first, I was surprised that it produces 11 kW of electricity and uses *half* of it? 5.5 kW is a ton of power. However, I then realized that if we consider that the average power production from the house is about 1/3-1/4 of that due to night time and clouds, perhaps it is more reasonable. Using half of 2.6 kW -3 kW continuously seems a little high for a hyper-efficient house, but plausible.
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