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Students to Build Solar Homes on the National Mall
 Following its 30-year commitment to promoting residential energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and practices, NAHB is sponsoring a Solar Decathlon on the National Mall this fall in which students will battle to design, build and operate the most livable and efficient solar-powered house.
Nineteen student teams will have spent a year completing their 800-square foot entries before they are transported to a “Solar Village” in Washington, D.C. Prizes will be awarded for architecture, livability and comfort, as well as for tasks such as heating water and powering appliances. Each team will also be required to provide enough solar energy to power an electric car.
The houses will be open to the public on Oct. 7-11 and 13-16. Special tours, workshops and sponsor exhibits will be held on Oct. 7 and there will be an awards ceremony on Oct. 15.
NAHB is the sole sponsor of the Energy Efficiency Award, and Eric Borsting, chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the NAHB Construction, Codes and Standards Committee (an NAHB members-only link), has been leading the association’s involvement in this educational program.
This year’s Solar Decathlon is the second one sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Joining NAHB as partners in the 2005 competition are the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Home Depot, the American Institute of Architects and DIY Network.com.
With more than 30 successful green building programs now operating around the country, NAHB is leading efforts in sustainable and efficient residential building. Eleven home builders associations own or operate green building programs in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Missouri, New York and Washington.
For more information, click here; or e-mail Marie Yarroll at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.
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