Engineering Design, Construction, Operation and Analysis of the 2007 Texas A&M University Solar Decathlon House

Abstract

This report presents the design, construction, and operation of a 100% solar-powered house from an engineering perspective. This includes energy simulation results, selection of systems, design of systems, assembly of systems, integration between architectural and engineering design, transportation of the house to Washington D.C., and a review of the actual performance of the house during the 2007 Solar Decathlon. The house was designed and constructed in Bryan-College Station, Texas, from January 2006 to September 2007. It was constructed at the Texas A&M University (TAMU) facilities and it was then transported to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon which took place from October 3 to October 23, 2007. A full-description of this project is presented along with the TAMU team’s strategy for the competition contests. Finally, an analysis of the final outcome is offered with recommendations for future events.