SOUTHFIELD ? The U.S. Department of Energy has selected Lawrence Tech as one of 20 schools – the only Michigan university – to compete in the 2007 Solar Decathlon. LTU gets $100,000 over two years to develop ways to reduce the cost of solar-powered homes.
?The next generation of leaders will have an opportunity to shine as they compete in the 2007 Solar Decathlon,? said U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman. ?Supplying enough clean, affordable energy to fuel the world?s growing economies is one of the great challenges we will face over the coming years. By helping expand the use of solar energy technologies, the participants will help meet that challenge.?
The Solar Decathlon is an international competition that brings student teams from universities across the United States, Europe and Canada to compete in designing, building, and operating highly energy-efficient, completely solar-powered houses. The teams will ultimately assemble their homes on the Mall in Washington, DC, and will be open to the public. Contest rules require that each house generate enough energy from the sun to operate a household, a home-based business, and related transportation needs.
?This is an incredible opportunity for our students to demonstrate their innovative problem-solving skills. We are in excellent company, and I am confident that our students and faculty will represent Lawrence Tech and Michigan well in this exciting competition,? said LTU President Charles Chambers.
Teams are judged in ten different categories, seven of which focus on energy efficiency; others include design and comfort of the house. The team with the most points ? the most energy-efficient and innovative design ? wins. For more information visit www.solardecathlon.org.
Other Lawrence Tech students are involved in a photovoltaic demonstration project. The University soon will open one of the nation?s most innovative living laboratories, which demonstrates energy efficiencies and sustainable design ? the A. Alfred Taubman Student Services Center.
