Design of a Solar House

Abstract

The Solar Decathlon has been created by the U.S. Department of Energy to test the design, build, and operation of an energy efficient house. The newest addition to the international solar decathlon competition has been moved to China. The competition will take place August 2013 in Datong China. The goal of the houses being built is to create a house that is both energy-efficient and architecturally pleasing to the public. The house will be attached to the solar decathlon’s electric grid, septic, and water systems. Since the house will be attached to the electric grid, electricity will always be available for use. However, the whole purpose is to have a net electrical use of zero. To have a net electrical use of zero, the house needs to be able to produce its own electricity through solar panels, and consume the least amount of energy through the houses appliances. During the competition week, the house will be put under mini contest that will test the functionality of the house. Building the house will need to be designed to be structurally sound on its own foundation, so it will withhold the weight of the house and all of the housing systems within. Not only does the house need to be strong but needs to be tight, so there is no energy lose or energy gain between the outdoors and in. Getting the house to Datong China has to be ready to be built upon arrival since only a week is given to build the house on site. Therefore, the house will be partially built before shipping. To overcome most of the major loads in the house, smart energy systems will be used from the hot water system, to the lighting of the house. A monitoring, and control system will be used to control the amount of energy being used at one time by the major electrical load appliances. Also each appliance will be the most energy efficient to help drive down the amount of energy needed for each appliance.