 William Staffeld / AAP Cornell University's 2009 Solar Decathlon entry under construction. |
The Solar Decathlon is an interdisciplinary, design-build competition organized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in which 20 colleges and universities from around the world compete in 10 domestic- and energy-based contests. Cornell's third entry to the competition, The Silo House, is a bold evolution from the traditional Solar Decathlon submission. The Silo House consists of three cylindrical living spaces - living room, kitchen, bedroom - that surround an open rectilinear courtyard. The house is entirely powered by the sun. Forty photovoltaic panels provide 8kW of electricity, while 60 evacuated tubes and a custom skin-integrated solar thermal system supply domestic hot water and heat.
As the largest student project team on campus, the 2009 Cornell Solar Decathlon team was composed of more than 150 students from undergraduate and graduate colleges across campus. Students from architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, human ecology, business, communications, and the hotel school worked together to realize this project. The student-run team had the support of more than 20 Cornell faculty, staff, and alumni. 2009 marks Cornell's third consecutive appearance (the team placed second in 2005) in the Solar Decathlon competition, which has occurred biennially since 2002.
The Cornell house and its challengers were on display on the National Mall in Washington, DC from October 9 - 18, 2009. The Cornell team came in seventh place in the overall standings. The team also displayed the house at the NY State Fair in Syracuse from August 27 - September 7, 2009.
The competition at the National Mall in Washington DC boasted over 100,000 visitors and received extensive media coverage from news agencies such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, and CNN.
Solar Decathlon in the News
The Washington Post
New York Ag Connection (Oct. 20, 2009)
Renewable Energy, World.com (Oct. 20, 2009)
Cornell University's Silo House
Custom Home Online (Oct. 16, 2009)
Solar Decathlon 2009: Cornell Silo House
Cornell University Silo House at Solar Decathlon 2009
Popular Mechanics (Oct. 14, 2009)
Cornell Silo House Offers Energy-Saving Amenities
The Ithaca Journal (Oct. 14, 2009)
DOE Solar Decathlon Showcases 20 Solar Homes and Importance of State Universities
Students Display Home Designs on the National Mall
Creative Silo House by Cornell University
Jetson Green (Oct. 12, 2009)
Solar Decathlon: The Competition for the Best Solar-Powered House
The Huffington Post (Oct. 12, 2009)
Solar Decathlon Solar House Competition Heats Up
Gizmag (Oct. 12, 2009)
Museum of the Earth (Oct. 12, 2009)
Solar Living, Without Compromising on Lifestyle
The New York Times (Oct. 12, 2009)Sun's up! Let the games begin!
CNN Video (Oct. 11, 2009)Amazing Student-Made Solar Homes Compete in International Solar Decathlon
Gizmodo (Oct. 10, 2009)
Decathletes, Start Your Solar Panels
The Architects Newspaper Blog (Oct. 10, 2009)
All is possible under the sun
The Washington Post (Oct. 10, 2009)
The Quest to Build an 'Ethically Responsible' House
The New York Times (Oct. 9, 2009)
Solar Decathlon underway in D.C.
Solar Decathlon 2009: Video and Home of Cornell University Team
Examiner.com (Oct. 8, 2009)
Cornell University Takes on 19 Teams in Contest to Design and Build the Best Solar House
Syracuse.com (Oct. 8, 2009)
Solar Decathlon Promotes Sunnier Future
Scientific American (Oct. 8, 2009)
DOE's Chu plugs solar and building efficiency
CNET News (Oct. 8, 2009)Photos: Solar homes take root at Solar Decathlon
CNET News (Oct. 7, 2009)
Sidewalk Superintendent Browses Solar Decathlon
The Washington Post (Oct. 5, 2009)
Cornell University's SILO House Debuts at New York State Fair
Smart Home (Sept. 1, 2009)
WHCU Morning Newswatch Podcasts (Aug. 27, 2009)
Cornell Students Display Solar House at New York State Fair
Syracuse.com (Aug. 24, 2009)
Thermoblok Insulation Chosen for Cornell University's Solar Decathlon Project
Building a Champion Solar Home
TIME (Video)
About.com
AAP Coverage
Cornell's Silo House finished seventh at Solar Decathlon (Oct. 16, 2009)
Solar Decathlon team finds a home at 'Joe's Inn' (Oct. 15, 2009)
Cornell's 'rustic chic' Silo House readies for Solar Decathlon competition today (Oct. 8, 2009)
Solar 'Silo House' on display at the state fair (Aug. 31, 2009)
Cornell's solar house ready for run at state fair (Aug. 17, 2009)
Cornell's new house goes round and round (May 22, 2009)
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