Team Orange County places 9th in Solar Decathlon
The exterior of Casa del Sol: Team Orange’s project for the 2015 Solar Decathlon. The house took two years to make. (Yeo Gee Saun)
Team Orange County has finished 9th in this year’s U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon.
The team, comprised of 100 students from Saddleback College, Irvine Valley College, UC Irvine, and Chapman University, received their final placement on their solar home project, Casa del Sol, yesterday.
The first place winner of the contest was Sure House by students of the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.
Beginning in 2013, a total of 17 teams designed, built and maintaining a solar powered home which all underwent 10 scored contests across the span of two years.
Team Orange County’s project, Casa del Sol, according to the project’s official site, drew its design from the California golden poppy. The house will base much of its design from the flower’s natural abilities.
“Like the flower, Casa Del Sol is drought-resistant and architecturally adapted to Southern California,” the site states. “It features an open design with a flex floor plan and separate studio for multigenerational living or a possible rental.”
The project underwent 10 scored contests across the span of two years being judged on its affordability, design, energy efficiency and comfort. Votes submitted online were also important in determining its final place in the contest.
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