In its 5th year, the Solar Decathlon had submissions from 20 different countries and from schools like SCI-Arc/Caltech's and Appalachian State University, writes Diana Budds for Dwell.
The Appalachian State University's Solar Homestead won the People's choice and was Budds favorite:
"Each element of the design, from the furniture, to the Trombe wall, to the bifacial solar panels, to the staggered stud construction were incredibly well thought out. But what set this design apart is its reproducibility factor: as high-tech as the design sounds nearly all of its materials are available at Lowes stores (the school's sponsor) and are accessible to builders all across the country."
The following video is a tour through the SCI-Arc/Caltech's CHIP house, which was on view at the Solar Decathlon. The CHIP House will also be on view at the SCI-Arc Library Gallery from Oct. 28-Dec. 16.
FULL STORY: Solar Decathlon Highlights
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