Solar Decathlon 2007

Only one team will take first, but we all win in the end

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Teams will disassemble their houses and ship them to Washington, D.C. for the competition.
One day, using fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas to produce electricity will no longer be a viable option for the citizens of earth. Consider the negative environmental impact of burning fossil fuels, and you have yourself two compelling reasons for investigating alternative energy sources such as wind, hydro, and solar power.(Although there has been some renewed interest in nuclear processes such as fission and fusion, the former's infamous reputation and the latter's immaturity have prevented practical applications from surfacing.)... Read More
 

The House

Our blood, sweat, and photovoltaic cells

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SCU students rely on faculty only minimally.
The Santa Clara University solar house will use a holistic and environmentally conscious design approach to produce a contemporary architectural solution using highly efficient and sustainable systems and materials. The design will integrate, using the building façade, advanced and conventional active and passive technologies such as PV for powering lighting, appliances, and a transportation vehicle, and solar thermal collectors to supply hot water and to power an air-conditioning system plus a clothes dryer... Read More
 

Get Involved

Live sustainably and responsibly.

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Sustainability is an attitude.
We think, as do our (albeit friendly) competitors and the sponsors and organizers of the Solar Decathlon, that sustainable living is an issue that has not received the attention it deserves. We think there is a lack of easily accessible information available to the public on the subject and one of our goals is to grow the existing body of information with our small contribution, found here on this page (in the near future, that is). Read More
 

Sponsorship

Do the world a favor

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Sponsors large and small make this project possible for SCU students.
The Santa Clara engineering team is looking for both local and national partners to help us reach our goal. Sponsorship is available at many levels, and we gladly accept both cash and in-kind contributions--both are critical to our success. In addition to our eternal respect and gratitude and recognition in publicity materials, sponsors receive the following benefits... Read More