Today at UC Irvine’s Calit2 building, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman announced that the 2015 Solar Decathlon will be held at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. The 2013 Solar Decathlon was also held there. The Solar Decathlon is a collection of 20 sustainable houses designed by students at Universities and Colleges around the US and world, that are open to viewing at one location for eleven days. I went last year and the cleverness, practicality and sustainability of the designs was very impressive, all at a reasonable cost. They were also suited to the location and climate of the various schools.
Mr. Poneman also read out the list that was chosen for the 2015 competition. Many cheers came up when Team Orange was chosen. That is comprised of UC Irvine, Chapman University, Saddleback Valley College, and Irvine Valley College. Mayor of Irvine Steven S. Choi accepted the honor, as well as several other local dignitaries. Wendel Braze, leader of UC and UC Irvine’s sustainability work, introduced the Deputy Secretary.
The 2013 Solar Decathlon had 20 teams and involved 2,000 students. There were 64,000 visitors to the event. There was also a tent housing many booths from local companies involved in sustainability.
