Santa Clara University

Solar Decathlon Team Arrives in D.C.

Monday, Oct. 8, 2007

The SCU entry into the Solar Decathlon competition arrived safely in Washington, D.C. after a delay in Nebraska with a broken trailer axle. The team had spent their time wisely, carefully preparing the site on the National Mall for the home's arrival, and unpacking the other two trucks that were filled with household goods and equipment. So when the house arrived, they were ready to begin assembly. Professors Timothy Healy (electrical engineering) and Mark Aschheim (civil engineering) report that assembly is going well. The mood is one of great excitement and encouragement, and the team is working well together and representing SCU beautifully. Read the USA TODAY story on the Solar Decathlon and the Santa Clara entry.

Over the last year and a half the team has been building a house to compete in the US Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C. (competition begins Oct. 12). While going to class and keeping up with their homework, our student team has designed and built (and raised nearly $1 million for) a totally solar-powered 650 sq. ft. home. While their focus has been on creating an entry the University will be proud of, they have also been deeply concerned with leading their generation away from the use of fossil fuels. They have had lots of press about what they are doing, but their values of seeking excellence, acting sustainably, and working in community are foremost even when they are out of the spotlight.

At their last group meeting before they left for Washington, the team listed their goals for D.C.: act as a team/help each other, win, have fun, don't get injured, represent SCU, accomplish all tasks, market sustainability, and learn from competitors. This talented, passionate group of faculty experts and students exemplify the hallmarks of Santa Clara University’s values. They have placed ethics at the forefront of their project, going beyond contest parameters in their quest to educate the community about sustainability. Their commitment to this project is moving and inspirational. 

Fr. James Reites, S.J., a professor in the Religious Studies Department, has been putting his electrical engineering degree to work alongside the team. In summing up his experience in getting the house ready to ship to D.C., he said, "Generosity is one of the highest of Jesuit values, and I've seen it in spades while working with this team."

For team and competition updates:

http://www.scusolar.org

http://eere.typepad.com/solar_decathlon/2007/10/news-flash-all-.html