Solar Decathlon Kicks Off Friday

It's been two years in the making, but now it will take little more than a week for teams in the Solar Decathlon to prove their solar-powered home is the best.

The University of Maryland was the runner-up in the collegiate competition four years ago. .

The solar-powered, energy efficient WaterShed mirrors the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, integrating an edible garden, a plant-covered roof, an artificial wetlands environment and a water-based cooling system, .

After constructing WaterShed in College Park, the team partially dissembled and trucked it to the West Potomac Park in Washington, where the competition will take place. Starting Friday, the homes will be judged in 10 contests based on architectural design, cost, and other facets.

The houses are open for free tours for the public Friday to Sunday, Oct. 2:

• Weekdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Weekends 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Juried Contest Announcements

The architecture contest results will be announced on Capitol Hill at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center. Capitol Hill press credentials may be required for this event. All other announcements take place in the Solar Decathlon Main Tent at West Potomac Park.

Juries critique the houses to determine the winner of the following contests:

• Affordability, 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27
• Architecture, 3:15 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28
• Engineering, 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 29
• Communications, 2:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30
• Market Appeal, 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1

Measured Contests

The remaining contests are "measured" and based on teams' ability to complete tasks like cooking in their homes, or whether or not a house can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Those contests are:

• Comfort Zone
• Hot Water
• Appliances
• Home Entertainment
• Energy Balance

Award Announcements

Each of the 10 contests is worth 100 points for a grand total of 1,000 possible points.

• First-, second- and third-place teams, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 1.
• People's Choice Award, 6-8 p.m. at the Victory Reception

Team Videos

There are videos introducing the competing houses, similar to the one about Maryland's WaterShed that accompanies this post.