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The University of Minnesota’s Solar Decathlon Team is challenged to design, engineer, and construct a fully functioning, highly energy-efficient, completely sun-powered house.

As one of twenty international teams invited by the U.S. Department of Energy to compete in the 2009 Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C., this is the first and only Minnesota team ever to participate in the competition. The University’s entry, “ICON Solar House,” is a collaborative effort among many students, faculty, staff, and industry partners. While the objective is to integrate solar power with innovative architectural and interior design, the house will be built to accommodate Minnesota’s extreme climate and for potential marketability.


For more information, visit SolarDecathlon.org
 
  • Photo of the front-left side of the exterior of the house including the wooden deck.
  • Photo of the front-right side of the exterior of the house which provides a closer view of the main entrance.
  • Photo of the right side of the house which shows a shaded 3-window exit.
  • Photo of the top-right side of the house giving a full view of the solar panels on the right side of the roof.
  • Photo of the top-left side of the house which shows the sky-light on the left side of the roof.
  • Two photos. One photo of a bedroom inside the house with a twin sized bed and bookshelf. The other photo is of the hallway leading to the bedroom.
  • Photo of the kitchen inside the house complete with a bar and stools, stove top, refrigerator, and skylight.
  • Photo of the living room inside the house complete with an all white couch, coffee table, and a flat screen television.
08/29/2008

AIA Convention: Innovative Design and the Solar Decathlon , Nov 18 8:30-10am

Students and faculty working on the project will discuss in a panel the innovations that have come out of the decathlon as well as the integrated process that the team has adopted.


08/29/2008

Design Progress Review Sept 5th 4pm-7pm Rapson Hall

Come see presentations on our house design and give feedback to our team.