Design, Construction, Transportation, Operation and Post-Occupancy Analysis for the Texas A&M Solar Decathlon House

Abstract

This paper describes the design, construction, transportation, operation and post occupancy analysis of the 2007 Texas A&M Solar Decathlon House (TAMU SD house). The TAMU SD house was developed to be a modular house that could grow into varying configurations, yet be completely powered from the solar radiation that falls on the footprint of the structure. To accomplish this, the Texas A&M team designed and simulated varying designs using building energy simulation (DOE-2), solar thermal analysis (F-CHART), photovoltaic analysis (PV F-CHART), lighting analysis (Ecotect, RADIANCE, DAYSIM), and other engineering analysis procedures. After approval from the USDOE, the construction of the house then took place on the Texas A&M campus and the house was transported to Washington, D.C., where the construction was completed and the house was prepared for the competition. After the competition the house is now on display on-campus at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, TX.