Team Maryland began its participation in the Solar Decathlon 2011 in November 2009. Over the course of this student-led project, students have been aided by the guidance of faculty, mentors, and professionals from the initial conceptual designs through the completion of a fully functional, solar-powered house. While the highlight of this process is the competition itself, there is a strong focus on educating the next generation of leaders. Creative interdisciplinary interaction between academic and practical settings in design studios and seminars advance the professional knowledge base of solar and sustainable design through academic research, giving students the opportunity to develop expertise in an important and emerging field.
Watershed and the drawing set
Photo Credit: Thai Nguyen
Photo Credit: Thai Nguyen
The U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon challenges collegiate teams from around the globe to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. Team Maryland used a highly integrated and interdisciplinary team structure to shepherd its core values and principles for designing the house.