2015 Solar Decathlon: ALF House

Project Details

Project Description

FROM ALFRED STATE AND ALFRED UNIVERSITY:

The Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is close approaching competition time again in October of 2015. This competition boasted 64,000 visitors in 2013 and this year promises to be just as successful with 17 competitors. Team Alfred, a joint team between Alfred State and Alfred University, is one of three teams from New York State that has found themselves among the ranks for their second year internationally and first year nationally in this prestigious competition. The competition this year is being held in Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California and will run for roughly three or four weeks with two weekends open to the public, Oct. 8-11 and Oct.15-18, and the rest of the time filled with construction, tear down and ten detailed competitions. Each house is exquisitely designed for budget friendly efficiency, innovation, and livability and Team Alfred’s house is no different. It boasts an open floor layout full of natural light, turning a small space into the perfect environmentally conscience house for four. Exposed trusses give the house an attractive touch with superb architecture throughout, making a small space feel large. This is possible thanks to space saving multipurpose furniture that is not only easy on the eyes, but also easy to use. A sloping roof adds to the architectural elements, but also maximizes the amount solar energy produced with photovoltaic panels and provides shade, serving three purposes as one feature. Team Alfred is in the process of arranging a ground breaking ceremony for the house, so that all who wish to follow the progress of the house can be there from the very beginning to the final award. The concept is simple, good for the environment, good for the wallet, good for you. For more information, follow Team Alfred on Twitter (@SD_TeamAlfred), Instagram (sd_teamalfred), and Facebook (Solar Decathlon-Team Alfred).