The Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 wrapped up in Madrid, Spain this week, announcing the overall “Most Efficient” solar house winner yesterday. Virginia Tech won the coveted award for its Lumenhaus, shown below:
The Electrical Energy Balance Contest at the Solar Decathlon Europe, was given to the University of Applied Sciences Rosenhelm with its solar house “Ikaros.” Judges considered both electricity self-sufficiency and solar energy efficiency.
Other awards included an honor for Appliances and Functioning, which was also given to University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim, and the prize for Solar Systems, which was awarded to Fachochschule fur Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, with its “Living Equia” house. Evaluation of functionability, efficiency, and value of solar system were among the factors considered.
When the competition began a year ago June 18, the public was given the opportunity to vote for their favorite project online. The Internet Award this year was the University of Florida. Finally, the Public’s Choice Award for the best solar home was given to the Instituto Avanzado de Arquitectura de Cataluña and the Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera.
If you would like to consider participating in the next Solar Decathlon Europe, you have until 2012 to make your plans! This year’s event was organized by the Ministry of Housing and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (which runs its own Solar Decathlon event). Overall, 17 teams from universities representing 7 countries and 3 continents participated. Close to 200,000 visited the Villa Solar during Solar Decathlon Europe.
Tags: lumenhaus, solar competition, solar decathlon, solar decathlon europe, solar house, villa solar, virginia tech
