Solar Decathlon

Teams began assembling their homes in Washington, D.C. in the early morning hours of September 19 in order to complete them in time for the Decathlon’s opening ceremony on September 26. The custom 500 ft2 (46 m2) homes populated the Mall through October 6, 2002. They were judged in ten categories: design and livability, design presentation and simulation, graphics and communication, the comfort zone, refrigeration, hot water, energy balance, lighting, home business, and getting around. Links to individual team Web sites and more information about the contest are online at

www.solardecathlon.org.