October 8, 2009

Solar Decathlon Promotes Sunnier Future

Students vie to be named top decathlete, but the real winners could be homeowners. David Biello reports

SUBSCRIBE TO 60-Second Earth

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

[Below is the original script. But a few changes may have been made during the recording of this audio podcast.]

Homes are rising on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. No, it's not a return of Hoovervilles thanks to the Great Recession. These are solar homes competing in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon, which starts October 8.From Cornell University to Virginia Tech, 20 student-run teams have designed homes that will be judged on 10 fronts: from lighting to how energy efficient the cooking can be—as well as the washing up afterwards. The homes incorporate the latest technology: an iPhone app to control windows described to me by Team California co-leader Allison Kopf. Smart energy meters that can communicate with the grid employed by returning 2007 champions Technische Universitat Darmstadt. I'm personally rooting for Team Missouri. It's where I grew up and it's not typically known for its solar technology. The winner will be announced Friday, October 16, but in many ways it doesn't matter who takes the glory. Homes eat up 20 percent of U.S. energy use and companies are donating their products to the students to prove their real world energy efficiency. The true winners will be the homeowners putting some of these energy efficiency and solar technologies to work tomorrow.

—David Biello

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American