Penn State Solar Decathlon Team Brings Home 4th Place!
By: Jude Simpson
The October air was charged with enthusiasm and hope. A procession of twenty select international teams made their way down Decathlete’s Way on the mall in Washington, DC. They stood together, poised under the big white tent waiting for the judges’ final determination. How would their teams’ two year efforts to design, build and live in a completely solar powered high performance house fair?
The results, Penn State, fourth, Santa Clara University, third, University of Maryland second with Germany’s Technische Universität Darmstadt in first place. It was a bittersweet moment for everyone. As the emotional rollercoaster took off, feelings of pride, relief and disappointment became entangled. We were all so close in the running. All the teams achieved excellence. Their commitment and beautiful renewable energy homes gave us a compelling glimpse of our near future.
Every two years The Solar Decathlon challenges student teams. For most universities participation is only a dream. I offer my congratulations not only to the Penn State team, but to everyone involved in the event. I have no doubt these students will impact the way we all live and use energy, as they pursue their education and careers with new found enthusiasm backed by the power of the sun to bring us closer to a safe, reliable energy neutral world.
Additional information on the 2007 Solar Decathlon can be found online at: http://www.engr.psu.edu/greenbuild/index.asp. Or http://www.engr.psu.edu/ae/newsletters/ter/Fa06/solardecathlon.asp
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