I went to the first two of these things, in 2002 and 2005. (I must be getting old, as I was sure the last one was in 2006.) Here's what it is:
Groups of students from architecture schools at 20 colleges and universities have designed solar-powered dwellings. These projects take months, even a few years. The dwellings have been trucked to DC, where they have been set up on the Mall over the last week. They stretch from the Air & Space Museum and East Wing of the National Gallery of Art to the Arts and Industries Building, the oldest Smithsonian Institute building. The dwellings will be judged by architects and industry people, and they will be open to the public as well.
Some of them are really impressive, though the exhibit winner is not always the one that can be most easily put into production. Virginia Tech had a great one at the last exhibit.
I'll be going to see this year's exhibit. Anyone in the DC area who's wondering where's the energy coming from in the future should try to take the time to see this as well. Expect big crowds and long lines, especially at the houses that are highly ranked.
This is not just a bunch of "let's all hold hands and wear hemp shirts;" (not that there's anything wrong with that); these are actual solutions that you can apply now. This is real architecture and real engineering.
DOE Solar Decathlon website3rd Solar Decathlon Exhibition Opens FridayGoogle newsmore Google newsTwo solar panels up, way up. The kids are alright.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
