The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon’s influence is expanding around the world. This competition, we have international teams from Belgium, Canada, China, and New Zealand that bring different perspectives and add to the debate about how to design sustainable homes. We love their fresh approaches and cultural influences. Even the cricket games in New Zealand’s side yard, which just happens to be a softball diamond, adds a twist to the neighborhood.

Representatives of several countries met to discuss international Solar Decathlon competitions. (Credit: Richard King/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

Solar Decathlon competitions are also expanding internationally. The first Solar Decathlon Europe took place in Madrid, Spain, last year, and its organizers are planning to hold the second one next year. Solar Decathlon Europe was very successful, with 190,000 visitors and 17 houses that were innovative and stunningly beautiful. The competition captured the hearts and minds of Europe, and now other countries are interested in hosting Solar Decathlon Europe 2014. For example, we have received a wonderful offer from France to host the next Solar Decathlon Europe in Versailles.

This January, the Department of Energy and the National Energy Administration in China signed a memorandum of understanding to hold the first Solar Decathlon China. The competition will be organized in part by Peking University. Ten cities submitted bids to hold the event, and the city of Datong was selected. Its proposal stated that the city would build a renewable energy theme park around the Solar Decathlon village with hotel space and transportation for the students and the general public.  It also is offering to purchase some of the houses so they can be on permanent display in the renewable theme park.

Other countries are also interested in holding their own Solar Decathlons. Representatives from Australia and South Africa visited us this week to learn about this year’s Solar Decathlon. They gathered information to take back to their governments to try to develop competitions on their continents.

It is gratifying to know that the event is growing worldwide and helping educate an ever-increasing number of people. That’s the best way to win in the long run.

Richard King is director of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

On April 28, 2011, the launch ceremony for Solar Decathlon China (SD China) was held at Peking University. The event was witnessed by more than 200 participants from China’s National Energy Administration (NEA), the U.S. Department of Energy, prominent domestic and international energy companies, and several Chinese universities. The Solar Decathlon China competition will be hosted by the National Energy Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy, organized by Peking University, and supported by companies including Applied Materials of the U.S.

Launched in the U.S. in 2002, the Solar Decathlon has been held about every two years. In 2013, China will host its inaugural Solar Decathlon competition. The teams will come from international universities, each of which will design and build a house that uses solar energy as the sole energy source for maintaining the operations of daily life. The competition will have ten contests, including energy conservation, architecture, environmental appeal, and energy independence—thus the “Decathlon” name.

During the launch ceremony, Wu Guihui, chief engineer of NEA, recognized the importance of Solar Decathlon and indicated that SD China would demonstrate the importance the Chinese government places on the application of new energy, promotion of low-carbon technologies, China’s responsibilities for carbon emission reduction, and initiatives of green and sustainable development. The competition will also be a good way to introduce advanced new energy technologies, promote commercialization in the field of clean energy, and carry out “green, clean, environmental protection” concepts in each Chinese city.

Zhou Qifeng, the president of Peking University, said: “In recent years, China’s new energy industry has made considerable progress in the field. The government’s strong encouragement and support for environment-friendly solutions have encouraged an increase in academic research and commercial deployment, spurring industry growth for new energy technologies. The Solar Decathlon China program will advance the level of technology development and application.”

During the ceremony, the organizing committee of SD China announced the timetable of the competition, the drafting of sponsorship regulations, and the drafting of hosting city regulations and launched the official website for SD China: http://www.sdchina.org/.

This press release was provided by Solar Decathlon China organizers.

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is proud to announce the newest member of the global Solar Decathlon family: Solar Decathlon China. The Chinese event was announced this week after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Department of Energy, China’s National Energy Administration, Peking University, and Applied Materials. The first Solar Decathlon China will be held in 2013.

The Solar Decathlon China memorandum of understanding was recognized by President Obama and Chinese President Hu as one of many important agreements signed this week in an effort to enhance cooperation between the United States and China on climate change, clean energy, and the environment.

The Chinese competition is the result of growing global interest in Solar Decathlon, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

The inaugural U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon was held in 2002 and featured 14 U.S. teams. In 2005, the competition became international when Canadian Solar and the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid were accepted as two of 18 teams. This internationalization continued in 2007 and 2009, when the 20 teams included teams from Canada, Germany, and Spain. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon will include teams from Canada, Belgium, New Zealand, and China.

Also in 2007, the United States and Spain signed a memorandum of understanding to allow the creation of Solar Decathlon Europe, the first overseas offshoot of the Solar Decathlon concept. Its first competition was held in Madrid in 2010. The next event is planned for 2012, when Solar Decathlon Europe will host 20 teams from 15 countries and four continents.

Solar Decathlon China will continue in the same tradition.

“I hope the competition will inspire a lot of Chinese college students to open up their minds and build their careers in developing innovative technologies and practices in renewable energy and building energy efficiency,” said Yu Pingrong, research professor and director of the Center of Solar Energy at Peking University.