WASHINGTON, DC - The University of Maryland today took first place in the Communications portion of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar Decathlon.  The team impressed jurors with their communication strategies to convey the technical aspects of generating solar energy, winning the second of ten contests that comprise the Solar Decathlon competition.  DOE’s Solar Decathlon is a competition where 20 university-led teams from across the United States, and from Canada, Germany, and Spain, compete to design, build and operate the most attractive, functional, and energy efficient solar-powered home.

“Communicating the benefits of new reliable and efficient technologies is an important step in commercializing the products we see being used on the Mall this week,” Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Andy Karsner said. “Winning this contest not only demonstrates a team’s ability to build and maintain a solar powered home, but the capability to tell the world that we all can do the same.”

The University of Maryland scored 98.2 points out of a possible 100 in this contest.  Santa Clara University finished in second place with 92.45 points, and Pennsylvania State University finished third with 90.4 points.

A jury of public relations experts and website development experts judged the Communications contest, which challenges teams to communicate the technical aspects of their homes as well as their experiences to a wide audience through websites and student-led public tours.  The jurors evaluated how informative and engaging the website content is, as well as how easy it is to navigate through the website and find information.  Each website must also adhere to strict technical standards.  Points are awarded based on success in delivering clear and consistent messages and images that represent the vision, process, and results of each team’s project.

The ten contests that make up the Solar Decathlon measure many aspects of a home’s performance and appearance.  A perfect total score for all ten contests in the Solar Decathlon is 1,200 points.  Of the ten contests, Communications, as well as Lighting, Comfort Zone, Appliances, Hot Water, Energy Balance, and Getting Around are each worth up to 100 points.  The Architecture contest is worth up to 200 points, followed by Engineering and Market Viability, which are each worth up to 150 points and are scored subjectively.  DOE yesterday announced that the German Technische Universität Darmstadt won the Solar Decathlon’s Architecture contest.  Performance is measured and points are awarded daily through the competition and the standings are updated on the Solar Decathlon website.

Results from the remaining eight contests, will be announced throughout the week on the National Mall.  The winner of the Lighting Contest - the third of ten contests - will be announced tomorrow, October 17, at 10AM on the National Mall.  The Solar Decathlon’s overall winner will be announced at 2:00PM on Friday, October 19.

The Solar Decathlon’s homes are zero-energy, yield zero carbon, and include the latest high-tech solutions and money-saving benefits to consumers, without sacrificing comfort, convenience, and aesthetics.  Each house must also produce enough “extra” energy to power an electric vehicle.  Many of the solar power and building technologies showcased on the National Mall are currently available for purchase and use.  Teams have worked for more than two years designing, building and testing their homes – the Solar Decathlon is the culmination of that work.

The Solar Decathlon complements President Bush’s Solar America Initiative, which seeks to make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015.  The U.S. Department of Energy is sponsoring this year’s Solar Decathlon, along with its National Renewable Energy Laboratory; the American Institute of Architects; the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers; the National Association of Homebuilders; the U.S. Green Building Council; and private-sector sponsors BP and Sprint.   This year, more than 100,000 people are expected to tour the solar village.

Held on the National Mall in Washington, DC, DOE’s Solar Decathlon is open to the public through Saturday, October 20, 2007.  The houses are open for tours each day from 11:00AM to 3:00PM, except on Wednesday, October 17, 2007, when they will be closed for competition purposes.  For full event information, current standings, and high-resolution photos, visit the Solar Decathlon website.

Media contact(s):
Kevin Brosnahan, (202) 586-4940