 Photo by Nash Dunn | The Appalachian Students from anthropology, biology, construction management, and even a lone German major, gathered to learn about Appalachian’s involvement in the Solar Decathlon.
Ged E. Moody, sustainability director, made it clear just how significant Appalachian’s involvement in the solar energy contest is.
“From the chancellor’s office on down, everybody is super excited about this project,” Moody said. “To be one of 20 universities at this point vying for a prize like this…it could be bigger than beating Michigan in football.”
The Solar Decathlon is a sustainable energy competition run by the U.S. Department of Energy that takes place between teams of university students over a period of two years.
Each team of students from 20 universities around the world will design an entirely solar-powered house that will be built and tested in 10 competitions on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. next fall.
Appalachian’s Solar Homestead Project is the second entry in the eight-year history of the Solar Decathlon from the state of North Carolina.
David M. Lee is a graduate student studying appropriate technology and is the communication manager for the project.
“In 2002 UNC-Charlotte competed, but they ended up withdrawing,” Lee said. “[In 2007 and 2009], team Germany won, so we are really hoping to bring the championship back to the states.”
Appalachian’s entry will cost roughly $900,000 and focuses around using a series of small “outbuildings” to generate solar power for the living space in the house, said Katharine A. Lea, a graduate student studying technology and a project architect.
“We took our concept [for the Solar Homestead] from our area,” Lea said. “This has been a place where people take care of themselves, and we wanted to design a house that was more than a house…that is self sufficient.”
Story: CHRISTOPHER CLARK, News Reporter
Photo: ZACK WILSON, Intern Photographer |
