Solar Case Studies and Projects

Iowa State Solar Decathlon Planning Team Report

Sponsored Project: Completed May 2007
Principal Investigator: Kimberly Elman Zarecor, Ulrike Passe, Romeu Bessa
Organization: Iowa State University
Technical Area: Renewable Energy

Abstract
Faculty from the Colleges of Design and Engineering at Iowa State University are working together to establish the first Solar Decathlon team from the state of Iowa. The Solar Decathlon is a student competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, in which interdisciplinary university-based teams design, build and operate a highly energy-efficient, solar-powered 800 sq. ft. house. The Iowa State Solar Decathlon team plans to apply in December 2007 for participation in the 2009 competition. In order to prepare a competitive proposal, we have assembled a project planning team and developed our initial fund-raising and research strategies. With funding from the Iowa Energy Center, the Planning Team has compiled this feasibility report which discusses the requirements of the Solar Decathlon proposal and considers what will be necessary for Iowa State to be competitive. The report documents and analyzes the Solar Decathlon entries from the 2002 and 2005 competitions; includes research on new solar and renewable energy technologies being developed in Iowa and internationally; and discusses the unique conditions of solar design in Iowa.

Download full report (PDF)