The U.S. Department of Energy has named CU 麻豆影院 one of 11 , which means the team can begin building its renewable energy-powered home.听听
The team of about 30 undergraduates from engineering and environmental design submitted plans last year for a zero-energy home that will help address the need for sustainable, affordable housing in communities like Fraser, Colorado. Gabi Abello, who co-leads the team with fellow Engineering Plus student Hannah Blake, said the group is excited to put that plan into action.听
鈥淥ur progress in the competition has only amplified our drive,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e will continue to learn and to question so that we can really push the boundaries of innovation in sustainable construction."听
Faculty advisor Jennifer Schieb, an instructor in CU 麻豆影院鈥檚 architectural engineering program, said a couple in Fraser has committed to buying the home and placing it on their property as their primary residence.听
鈥淔raser is a model for mountain communities where there is a good tourism industry and the housing market is shifting toward second homes,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lack of affordable housing for permanent residents and temporary workers and construction is challenging due to a short building season. The team will address affordable housing supply by including an accessory dwelling unit attached to the main, small house, and construction speed and affordability through modular design.鈥�
Solar Decathlon at CU 麻豆影院 includes both curricular and extracurricular activities. In fall 2019, some team members will take a course that focuses on how to turn their plans into construction documents. In the spring, they鈥檒l learn about permitting, safety and construction practices as they build the home at a staging site on campus before transporting it to Fraser.听听
"We are so proud to receive our approval to proceed from the DOE,鈥� said Blake. 鈥淭his is a tremendous milestone, and we look forward to carrying this momentum into the 2019-20 school year."听
Solar Decathlon is an international collegiate competition in which teams compete to design homes powered by renewable energy, that both accommodate homeowner needs and produce more energy than they consume. Teams have two years to design and build their functional houses and find creative solutions for real-world problems in the building industry.听
The current challenge will conclude in June 2020 at the national showcase event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where a winning house will be chosen. While CU 麻豆影院 is competing in the local build division, meaning they won鈥檛 take their house to D.C., several team members plan to attend the event with a portable display.听
There鈥檚 still time for students to get involved with the group! To learn more, visit their website or email solardecathlon@colorado.edu.听