Stevens Institute of Technology wins U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon

Irvine, Calif. — Assistant Secretary of Energy Dr. David Danielson commended the winners of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015 at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. Stevens Institute of Technology won top honors overall by designing, building, and operating the most cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive solar-powered house. University at Buffalo, The State University of New York took second place followed by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in third place.

Stevens Institute of Technology celebrates its overall first-place victory at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015, October 17, 2015, at the Orange County Great Park, Irvine, California. (Credit: Thomas Kelsey/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

“On behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy, thank you to each inspiring student competitor,” said DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Dr. David Danielson. “Your hard work makes this unique competition possible. The homes you built demonstrate how affordable, renewable, and energy-saving products available today can cut energy bills, reduce pollution, and protect our climate.  You have shown the skills and dedication necessary to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency throughout our economy in the decades to come.”

The teams competed in 10 contests throughout a nine-day stretch that gauged each house’s performance, livability and affordability. The teams performed everyday tasks including cooking, laundry and washing dishes, which tested the energy efficiency of each house. After all contest results were tallied, Stevens Institute of Technology earned 950.685 points out of a possible 1,000 to win the competition, followed by The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York with 941.191 points, and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with 910 points. Full competition results and details about the individual contests may be found at www.SolarDecathlon.gov.

“This prestigious competition to build energy-efficient solar-powered homes helps students prepare for successful careers in clean energy, and I want to recognize all of these teams for their hard work and creativity,” said Richard King, Director of the Solar Decathlon for the U.S. Department of Energy. “Today’s results are the culmination of two years of perseverance and dedication. These students have helped demonstrate to thousands of visitors and viewers how to start saving money and energy in their own homes today.”

The results of the Engineering Contest were also announced, with Stevens Institute of Technology taking first place by scoring 93 of 100 possible points. For the Engineering Contest, each competing house was evaluated by a group of prominent engineers who determined which house best exemplifies excellence in innovation, system functionality, energy efficiency, system reliability, and documentation through their project manual, drawings and audiovisual presentations.

On behalf of the Engineering Contest Jurors, Tami Bui of Edison International, said, “The teams we selected as winners of this contest exhibit a dazzling display of innovative and integrated engineering solutions. The top three places the jury chose were a step above the rest of the competition.”

Team Orange County (University of California, Irvine; Chapman University; Irvine Valley College; and Saddleback College) claimed second place in the Engineering Contest with 92 points, and The University of Texas at Austin and Technische Universitaet Muenchen took third place with 91 points.

Full details of the contest results are available at www.solardecathlon.gov/2015/competition-scores-engineering.html. For final overall standings, visit www.solardecathlon.gov/2015/competition-scores.html.

Student teams in the 2015 competition spanned five countries across two continents, including teams from universities in the United States, Germany, Honduras, Italy and Panama.