Solar Decathlon 2007
by Jessica Root - Brooklyn, NY on 10.17.07
Forget battle of the bands, we can’t get enough battle of the solar homes (AKA Solar Decathlon) here at TreeHugger. This year, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy succeeds again in bringing together 20 university teams to compete in creating the most inviting and efficient solar-powered home based on a strict set of criteria.
Hard hats in hand, TreeHugger went on location with Planet Green (stay tuned for their Solar Showdown special airing on Discovery Home in December!) to get a special glimpse into the lives of these young, solar-achievers and their solar abodes before winners are announced on Friday. Stay tuned: Tomorrow, University of Maryland’s masterpiece and an interview with their solar tech teammate.
I actually attended this and took my baby brother with me when it was here in DC on the National Mall.
On the one hand, the lines were so long that it took us about an hour just to get a glimpse of the Santa Clara house, but on the other hand I was happy that there was such a large interest in alternative energy and sustainability. I was disappointed that there was such a noticeable "racial majority" in attendance though....my baby brother is latino and I constantly worry that he is made to feel out of place at some of the eco-events I take/drag him to.
It will be a good day indeed when eco-awareness is taken up equally by all different kinds of people, and not just largely by the "white hippie losers" (as one of my brothers friends put it).
Reading my comment over before I hit post, I'm worried that it might come off as inflamatory...but it's really not supposed to be. I'm largely caucasian with some native american, and my baby brother is latino, and I find myself far too conscious of how other people treat him when we hang out together, especially when we go to events like this. So, I apologize if this came off wrong to anyone.