Solar Decathlon 2010 in Madrid has been a success, and not only because it attracted more than 190,000 visitors. All 17 houses competing in the competition have proven to have positive energy balances, helping Solar Decathlon Europe to fulfil one of its main objectives: to disseminate among the general public the benefits of using renewable energies, especially solar energy, at home.
The 17 competing houses proved that those benefits are a tangible reality. During the ten days of the competition, the Villa Solar produced almost three times the energy consumed. Exactly, 6,177.5 kWh were produced, while the energy consumption was 2,579.2 kWh. The energy surplus went to the grid and was used by the inhabitants of the area where the houses were located.
Solar Decathlon aroused great interest in both the university world and the political world. Besides the visits of the Spanish Ministry of Housing and the visit of the prince of Spain, Felipe, the Villa Solar received the visits of the ambassadors of the countries who had universities participating in the competition, the Housing Comission of the Lower House of the Spanish Parliament, and the rectors of all the competing universities, among other authorities.
The competing houses were not the only attraction for the Villa Solar visitors. There were also activities organized by the Solar Decathlon Organisation in front of the Villa, including conferences for professionals and university students; as well as activities for groups, families, young people and children. The activities for children were very successful, with more than 3,000 children enjoying the children activities tent at the Villa Solar.
The decathletes who participated in the competition recognised the success of the competition. During the closing ceremony, held on 27 July, the faculty advisor of the University of Nottingham, representing all the participating teams, read a proclamation in which they highlighted that Solar Decathlon had exceeded all the expectations and congratulated Solar Decathlon Organisation and the Ministry of Housing for an impressive and highly successful competition. “Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 is just the start. We all are committed to make this event a real catalyst for change”, they stated.
Solar Decathlon Europe edition was organized by the Spanish Ministry of Housing, in collaboration with the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and the support of the U.S. Department of Energy. Lumenhaus, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University’s house won this competition, followed by the team from the University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim. Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences was awarded third place.
Solar Decathlon Europe 2012
Although there are still two years left for the final phase of the Solar Decathlon Europe 2012, the competition has begun. The competition’s organisation has announced the beginning of the period to sign up through their website for those universities interested in presenting their projects. All the information about the steps to take and the documents that must be submitted can be found on the website.
The second European edition of this competition will also be organized by the Spanish Ministry of Housing with the collaboration of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Since the competition has been a success for both public and private sector, the contribution of private sponsors is expected. The main sponsor of this edition was Saint-Gobain and received contributions from Schneider Electric, Rockwool, Kömmerling and FCC.
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