The Ohio State Solar Decathlon Team hosted a kick-off celebration for their solar-powered house that will be entered in the International Solar Decathlon competition in Washington, D.C.
OSU was one of 20 universities to be chosen to participate in the competition. It challenges universities to develop the best solar-powered house with focuses on 10 different categories: architecture, market viability, engineering, lighting, design, communications, comfort zone, hot water, appliances, home entertainment, energy and balance.
The house is named Solar House 1. This is the first time Ohio State has entered the competition.
"It is a collaborative project between the Knowlton School of Architecture and the College of Engineering, with additional participation from a large number of disciplines on campus," said Lisa Tilder, an associate professor of architecture in the Knowlton School of Architecture and adviser on the project, in an e-mail.
The team is comprised of approximately 60 students from more than 20 majors ranging from mechanical engineering to political science, all with a passion for sustainability, said Kara Shell, a project leader on the team. They want to succeed in the competition but are more focused on a holistic and sustainable lifestyle.
With Solar House 1 they want to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants and have a positive impact on the environment by using sustainable features such as waste reduction materials and water management.
One of the focuses of the house is solar powered heating.
"We need to change how we are heating our homes," said Niffy Ovuworie, a fourth-year studying mechanical engineering. "It is possible to use no fossil fuels and heat your home by the sun."
To do this, Solar House 1 will include double-sided solar panels. The ambient light from the sun hitting the solar panel will be absorbed by the underside. This will increase energy production by 15 percent.
In 2007 the average yearly energy consumption was 11,232 kilowatt-hours, according to the Energy Information Administration Web site. Solar House 1 is expected to produce 8,300 kWh of energy in a year solely from power from the sun. With the average price of 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, a homeowner can save about $705 a year.
Insulated tubes, or evacuated tube arrays, will heat and distribute water to sinks, showers and appliances. They will be located on the south side of the house and heated by the sun's rays.
Even the floor will be heated by the evacuated tube arrays that run underneath the flooring.
These features, remarkable in themselves, are not the most extraordinary aspect of the house. Temperatures and the condition of the house can be controlled miles away from home, by using the Internet or a cell phone with Internet capabilities.
The house is 800 square feet, can house two people and accommodate about eight guests. The construction site is on 17th Avenue, across from the Recreation and Physical Activities Center. The north and south walls, as well as the initial flooring, have been completed. Construction will continue, weather permitting.
President E. Gordon Gee spoke at the kick-off event and said he believes sustainability is an important issue.
With the partnerships created between faculty and staff, and sponsorships from the OSU community and businesses, the team is in the process of tackling a significant problem, Gee said.
"I'll live in it for a month," said Gee, optimistic that Solar House 1 will be the "best damn house in the land."
The Solar Decathlon competition will be Oct. 9-18. After the competition, the house will be transported to the Columbus Zoo where it will be on display for two to five years.
More information about the Solar Decathlon team, the house design and a list of sponsors can be found at solardecathlon.osu.edu.
Vicki Bouttavong can be reached at bouttavong.1@osu.edu.
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