Solar Decathlon 2013 Will Continue As Planned, Despite Shutdown

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Originally published on 1Sun4All.

Despite the government shutdown, the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 competition will continue as planned, wrote the Solar Decathlon team on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. The following is more from energy.gov:

Despite Government Shutdown, the Solar Decathlon Will Continue as Planned

Solar Decathlon

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Director Richard King gets a birds-eye view of the Solar Decathlon 2013 village from the Orange County Great Park Balloon on Day 6 of assembly. | Photo credit: Amy Vaughn | U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

The Federal Government shutdown will have no impact on the visitor experience or the collegiate teams at Solar Decathlon 2013. The XPO clean energy exposition hosted alongside Solar Decathlon 2013 will also move forward as planned.

The Solar Decathlon is funded by a mix of last year’s federal funding and at least 30 private-sector sponsors. Student teams from across the country and around the world have worked for two years to design and build their solar-powered, energy-efficient houses and have been working onsite for the past week to prepare for this highly-anticipated event. Federal employee participation is limited to personnel essential to allow the show to proceed.

Solar Decathlon

Construction of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 village progresses on Day 6 of assembly at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. | Photo  credit: Amy Vaughn | U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

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Richard King is the founder and director of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. Solar Decathlon communications team asked him five (okay, six) questions to learn more about him and his role. This is his answer for question number four:

4. Which technological innovation has you most excited for a clean energy future?

What excites me the most is the development of the zero-net energy home—a house that supplies its own power from sunlight. Clean energy technologies represent an important piece of the global climate puzzle. Solar is a solution that people can adopt on their own homes, but the reduction in carbon emissions is something we can all benefit from. These houses are highly technical but also fun to live in and easy to use. With the competition aspect, you can learn about what strategy really works best. I also get excited about bringing 20 houses together at one time—each of them different, yet all of them using the same power source. It’s so inspiring. Cool science!

Read the other questions and Richard’s answers here: Solar Decathlon Blog

It’s an exciting time as we are in the final stretch in preparing for the Solar Decathlon 2013 and XPO. The opening day for the event is October 3.

It’s FREE! Public hours will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily:

  • Thursday, October 3 – Sunday, October 6, 2013
  • Thursday, October 10 – Sunday, October 13, 2013

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Amber Archangel

-- I am an artist, painter, writer, interior designer, graphic designer, and constant student of many studies. Living with respect for the environment close at hand, the food chain, natural remedies for healing the earth, people and animals is a life-long expression and commitment. As half of a home-building team, I helped design and build harmonious, sustainable and net-zero homes that incorporate clean air systems, passive and active solar energy as well as rainwater collection systems. Private aviation stirs a special appeal, I would love to fly in the solar airplane and install a wind turbine in my yard. I am a peace-loving, courageous soul, and I am passionate about contributing to the clean energy revolution. I formerly designed and managed a clean energy website, 1Sun4All.com.

Amber Archangel has 195 posts and counting. See all posts by Amber Archangel