Photo of two children working on schoolwork outside Team Germany's Solar Decathlon 2009 house.

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

Bookmark and Share

Educational Resources for Building Professionals

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon provides educational opportunities for building professionals of all disciplines. Visiting the Solar Decathlon, touring the team houses, and participating in Building Industry Day are great ways to learn about new building technologies and techniques. Until the next event, you can learn more about renewable energy and energy-efficiency topics for building professionals by exploring the links below.

EERE Building Technologies Program

The Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE's) Building Technologies Program funds research and technology development to reduce commercial and residential building energy use. Its Web site offers a variety of programs, tools, and resources for building professionals.

Solar Decathlon Construction Documents

Solar Decathlon 2011 construction documents are available on the individual team pages. Or explore the construction drawings and project manuals of Solar Decathlon competition houses from:

Solar Decathlon 2011 Building Industry Workshops

See the Building Industry Day workshop presentations from Solar Decathlon 2011. Workshop sessions included:

  • Building a More Sustainable Future: A Look at Industry Trends in Building Design
  • Building Technology: An Update on Commercial and Residential Building Design Standards
  • Building the Solar Heating and Cooling Industry
  • Developing a Robust Workforce: Tools and Resources To Enhance Training in the Residential Energy Retrofit Industry
  • It All Comes Down to People: The Key to Sustaining Energy-Efficient Behaviors
  • Solar at Night: Technology Behind Solar LED.

The New Class of Affordable Solar Housing

On Jan. 13, 2011, five Solar Decathlon teams presented their competition concepts to attendees of the International Builders’ Show. The educational session, titled The New Class of Affordable Solar Housing, included the following presentations:

Solar Decathlon 2009 Building Industry Workshops

View the presentations for the Building Industry Day workshops offered during Solar Decathlon 2009. Workshop sessions included:

  • Integrated Design: Delivery and Operations of Net-Zero Energy Buildings
  • Energy-Efficient Lighting Solutions for the Home
  • LEED for Homes: Green From the Ground Up
  • Incorporating Solar into Residential New Construction
  • Benefits of the Smart Grid
  • Solar at Night — Solar LED Applications.