The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is a collegiate competition that challenges student teams to design and build highly efficient and innovative buildings powered by renewable energy. The Design Challenge is a one-to-two-semester, design-only competition, while the Build Challenge is a multiyear design-build competition. The most successful teams will complement architectural and engineering excellence with innovation, market potential, building efficiency, and smart on-site energy production. The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon continues to "push the envelope" on the design of high-performance, efficient, affordable, innovative buildings while promoting student innovation, STEM education, and workforce development opportunities.
Since 2002, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® has inspired more than 450 collegiate teams and 23,000 students worldwide. In addition to the focus on tomorrow's leaders, the Solar Decathlon has a foundational goal of providing educational programs and opportunities for the general public.
This year, the Solar Decathlon will start a new series of 10 virtual sessions with topics ranging from tours of houses with innovative designs to residential energy usage to jobs in the energy sector. Offered at no cost, these webinars are available to the general public and cater specifically to current and prospective homeowners, members of the real-estate industry, educators, students and young professionals, home builders, renovation contractors, and others interested in viewing state-of-the-art homes.
During a traditional Solar Decathlon Build Challenge event, thousands would converge on the educational tents to learn more about these topics. Through these monthly webinars, virtual "visitors" can access this exclusive content from the comfort of their homes.
Below are additional details on each planned webinar.
- Solar 101 – How Solar Energy Works
Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 1–2 p.m. E.T.
Learn more about this webinar and register here
- Discovering Clean Energy Careers
Wednesday, October 14, 2020, 1–2 p.m. E.T.
Learn more about this webinar and register here
- A Virtual Hands-On Energy Workshop for Families
Wednesday, November 18, 2020, 1–2 p.m. E.T.
Learn more about this webinar and register here
- Solar Student Leaders of Tomorrow Showcase
Wednesday, December 16, 2020, 1–2 p.m. E.T.
Learn more about this webinar and register here
- Resilient Home 411: Strategies to Weather and Recover from Natural Disasters
Wednesday, January 20, 2021, 1–2 p.m. E.T.
Learn more about this webinar and register here
- Zero Energy Ready Homes: New and Growing Fast
Wednesday, February 17, 2021, 1–2 p.m. E.T.
Learn more about this webinar and register here
- The Future of Solar: A Tour of Cutting-Edge Solar Research with the U.S. Department of Energy
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 1–2 p.m. E.T.
Learn more about this webinar and register here
- Solar Decathlon Build Challenge Team House Tour
Friday, April 16, 2021, 1–2 p.m. E.T.
Learn more about this webinar and register here
- Winning Solar Home - The DOE Solar Decathlon Build Challenge Winners
Wednesday, May 19, 2021, 1-2 p.m. E.T.
Learn more about this webinar and register here
About the Solar DecathalonThe U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is a collegiate competition that challenges student teams to design and build highly efficient and innovative buildings powered by renewable energy. The
Design Challenge is a one-to-two-semester, design-only competition, while the
Build Challenge is a multiyear design-build competition. The most successful teams will complement architectural and engineering excellence with innovation, market potential, building efficiency, and smart on-site energy production. The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon continues to "push the envelope" on the design of high-performance, efficient, affordable, innovative buildings while promoting student innovation, STEM education, and workforce development opportunities.
Since 2002, the
U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® has inspired more than 450 collegiate teams and 23,000 students worldwide. In addition to the focus on tomorrow's leaders, the Solar Decathlon has a foundational goal of providing educational programs and opportunities for the general public.
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Paola Capo
Manager, Sustainability & Communities by Design
The American Institute of Architects
Washington DC
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