MIT Solar Decathlon Project
  I joined the MIT Solar Decathlon team in January of 2007. It was an incredible experience to work on this one of a kind project. This house is designed and built by students and volunteers. The home will be completely powered by solar energy, created by the solar arrays. The house is one of 20 universities from around the world involved the solar decathlon competition, to build the best solar home. The houses will be transported to Washington DC in October of 2007 for the event.    The process has taken nearly a year and a half to come to this point. The building process has begun within the last few weeks. Stay tuned for updates on construction, and photos.
The project as it stands on 6/25/07. There is a lot of work to be done. The roof panels will be installed on this coming Saturday. 6/30/07  
Corey, our fearless leader. Helping to install the last few roof panels.
UPDATE: MIT SOLAR DECATHLON HOUSE
10/12/07 Solar 7 opens to the public in Washington DC
update 10/20/07MIT scores 13th in Solar Decathlon competition.

After completing this Zero energy home, in four months. With nothing more than an incredible group of volunteers and students from local universities.
      We transported this home to Washington DC. Where we entered a contest, The Solar Decathlon, where 20 universities from around the world compete, for the best solar home award, in ten different categories.
        We had just 9 days to fully assemble and pass all building inspection to be open to the public on 10/12/07. On the National Mall in the shadow of the Washington Monument. With a house that produced all of the energy needed for a fully functioning home. All of the mechanical systems of the home worked as expected. The PV panels produced all of the electricity needed to perform all of the tasks in an ordinary home.  The solar hot water collectors also performed as expected and produced all of the hot water needed for the home.
              It is my belief that in a typical New England winter this home will need a larger array of evacuated collectors, to meet the heating demands of this home. As well as additional hot water storage capacity. All in all the house performed as hoped. It will be exciting to see it perform through this winter.

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That's me installing the first of the roof panels
What an incredible backdrop, yes that's the Washington Monument