Solar Decathlon 2011 – Engineering for a Solar Powered House
The Solar Decathlon is a competition sponsored by the United States Department of Energy to design and construct a solar-powered house. Middlebury College has committed to fielding a team for the 2011 competition. The objective of this course is for students to understand what solar technologies are available for building energy generation and how they work. The technologies explored may include, but shall not be limited to, panel and building-integrated photovoltaics and solar, hot water modules. Students will also learn basics of electrical engineering and how such systems could be designed and installed in the SD House. During the final segment of the course, students will review and work with students registered for the SD Schematic Design course to provide input on solar strategies to be employed in the competition house. This course may be accepted as an elective for the Architectural and the Environment focus in the Environmental Studies major with permission of the focus advisor. Approval required; please contact Andrea Murray prior to registration. (Pass/Fail)