Attention, solar home aficionados! The Department of Energy-sponsored Solar Decathlon is mere weeks away, beginning October 8th on the Mall in Washington, DC. If you’re not familiar with it, the Solar Decathlon is a design competition for teams of university students world-wide. Each competition cycle is two years: in the first year, teams submit their initial ideas for a solar-powered home (net-zero energy consumption is the goal, though not the mandate). Of the applicants, 20 are selected to actually build their homes in the second year and transport them whole to Washington for a three-week showcase and contest.

California Solar Home: University of Santa Clara's Solar Decathlon Entry, 2009

When we attended the Decathlon in 2007, we were so impressed with the range of creativity, professional design, and clever incorporation of solar into these small (800 square foot max) homes. This year, the line-up looks even more exciting. You can view each team’s design and hear their statements of purpose on the Decathlon website, or, for an easy glance-over, check out one of our favorite green design blog’s aggregate of the homes.

Last year, a team from Germany won with their solar-panel-louvred, retractable-floor modern beauty; this year, will a domestic team win the day? Stay tuned.