In an attempt to prove that solar-power is a feasible means of powering homes in the near future, the Department of Energy established the Solar Decathlon where universities design energy-efficient homes to be viewed and judged on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Solar Decathlon complements President Bush’s Solar America Initiative, which seeks to make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015.

University-led teams came from across the United States, Spain, Germany, and Canada to design, build, and operate the most efficient and attractive solar-powered homes in a competition lasting from October 12-20. Many of the solar-power and building technologies that were showcased on the National Mall are currently available for purchase and use.

Germany’s Technische Universität Darmstadt took top honors in the contest which judged ten areas, ranging from architecture, livability and comfort to how well the homes provided energy for space heating and cooling, hot water, lighting, and appliances. Schools worked for more than two years designing, building and testing their homes, and this competition is the culmination of that work.

The Solar Decathlon’s homes are net-zero-energy, yield zero carbon, and include the latest high-tech solutions and money-saving benefits to consumers, without sacrificing comfort, convenience, and aesthetics. Solar power is used to run everything in the houses, and actually have enough power left over to run an electric car.

"With our singular house, we give an answer to the future question, how will humankind live in the 21st Century, in an age when resources are becoming ever more scarce?" said Darmstadt University President Hans Juergen Proemel.

Throughout the entire week of the viewing and competition, long lines of people waited to get into the houses. In fact, it was estimated that over 100,000 people attended the eight-day event. The University of Maryland’s ‘LEAFHouse,’ had one of the few technical innovations in the competition which includes a waterfall that incorporates design and function to reduce moisture and the energy needed for air conditioning.

After the competition, the U.S., European and Spanish officials agreed to collaborate in the development of a 4th Solar Decathlon competition in 2010 to be held in Madrid, Spain. It was also announced that four teams of contractors that work with the Energy Department's Building America program will receive $40 million over the next five years to develop net-zero-energy homes. These homes will use 70 percent less energy than homes built to current building codes, and will incorporate solar or other renewable resources to provide their energy needs.

“President Bush believes technological innovation is the key to increasing and diversifying our energy supply, helping ensure a growing and prosperous America and a cleaner environment,” Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman said. “The Solar Decathlon highlights ingenuity and entrepreneurial environmentalism as future engineers and architects produce homes that generate all the energy they need without sacrificing style and comfort.”

It is likely to be seen in the coming years that more and more homes and even commercial buildings will be built as a result of the efforts by the Department of Energy. Contractors, urban planners and the general public will soon become more cognizant of the environment and the need to preserve energy in a time when these issues are of dire concern.