The dust hadn’t yet begun to settle from the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2007, and Amy Gardner, LEAFHouse architecture faculty advisor, was hoping to return to her old routine. One of the things that could no longer be ignored … Continue reading
When Evan Merkel caught wind Maryland would be participating in Solar Decathlon 2011, volunteering as a mentor was a no-brainer. A photovoltaic design engineer by trade, Evan is one of a handful of mentors who has been on both sides … Continue reading
Over the past few decades, production of energy through the use of photovoltaic (PV) technology has increased. The past ten years have seen the largest growth in demand for PV modules, with a rate of 35% in 2010 and predicted … Continue reading
Building a carbon neutral, state-of-the-art, solar-powered house is not for the faint of heart. It takes a vast and varied team of talented individuals unified with a common goal to create and build something that inspires and educates people about … Continue reading
WaterShed is designed around the core concept of integration, not only between architecture and landscape, people and nature, but also integration of engineered systems such as the solar thermal array, ventilation, and air-conditioning units. Systems engineering seeks to understand and … Continue reading
The current financial crisis in the United States and worldwide makes it hard for many homeowners to focus on environmental concerns. Business people must keep their eyes on the bottom line in order to survive, and upgrading to the latest … Continue reading
Embodied energy can be helpful when considering which products to use in construction for specific applications. Embodied energy is the energy used in every phase of production, transportation, and assembly of a given product. Determining the actual embodied energy of … Continue reading