Photo of Solar Decathlon 2009 electrical meter
Officials at the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon 2009 verify the University of Kentucky's power meter after connecting the house to the microgrid on the National Mall
Photo Credit: Stefano Paltera/US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

The U.S. Department of Energy hosts the Solar Decathlon every two years to promote innovation in sustainable technologies and educate the public about the future of sustainable design.

The U.S. Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is the organizer of the biennial Solar Decathlon. It is also responsible for America’s policies regarding energy conservation, energy-related research, and domestic energy production. In creating and advocating policies related to these issues, the DOE has four goals.

  1. Critical transformation of the current American energy system into clean energy technologies and securing U.S. leadership in the fight to end our dependence on fossil fuels.
  2. Prosperity through scientific research and innovation. The DOE supports science and engineering, recognizing that economic prosperity is the result of innovation.
  3. Enhance security of nuclear energy sources.
  4. Create a sustainable management strategy for the DOE by combining the best from all vested parties within the department to maximize success.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered homes that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive and is just one way the DOE hopes to achieve the goals of its department.

For more information about the Department of Energy, please visit http://www.energy.gov.