Solar Decathlon Week

I can't say that we have a favorable weather forecast for opening weekend, but positive attitudes and innovative structures will surely make up for some clouds at this year's Solar Decathlon.

The Decathlon is comprised of twenty teams from colleges and universities around the world including many American universities. Each team designs and builds their home months in advance of the competition. As the Decathlon gets closer, the homes are shipped to Washington for reconstruction on the Mall for competition in ten contests.

Each energy-efficient home will compete in the following categories: Architecture, Market Viability, Engineering, Lighting Design, Communications, Comfort Zone, Hot Water, Appliances, Home Entertainment, and Net Metering.

The DOE hopes to not only demonstrating the viability, potential cost savings and flexibility of solar products, but also promotes the next generation of renewable engineers and a greener workforce. For a list of teams, see the Decathlon site!

Important Dates:
• Oct. 8-16—Teams compete in 10 contests
• Oct. 9-13—Houses are open to the public
• Oct. 15-18—Houses are open to the public
• Oct. 19-21—Teams disassemble their houses.

The Solar Decathlon houses will be open for public tours 11 a.m.¬–3 p.m. Monday–Friday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Please note that all homes will be closed Wed., Oct. 14.

As of this entry, it looks like Team California is ahead followed by Team Ontario. Personally, I'm less about who wins and just very happy for the public exposure to solar power and its benefits.


For more on solar energy check out the following resources:

Solar Energy Industry Association
Solar Electric Power Association
Renewable Energy World
Solar Today

Codifying Green Buildings

The International Code Council announced their intention to develop an international green construction code today, or IGCC. The development of this code means that commercial buildings will eventually have actual building codes that can be adopted by any city or municipality in the US. Why does this matter and what is the potential impact? According to the USGBC, commercial buildings in the US are responsible for 40% of total emissions. Can we reduce that? Yes we can.

For more information on today's launch news and updates on when open hearings will be coming to a city near you, visit: http://www.iccsafe.org/IGCC/

Living La Vida LOHAS

Warning: Shameless and unpaid plug!

Last night, my husband and I enjoyed a meal at DC’s only LEED-certified restaurant, Founding Farmers. Prior to the meal, we met a friend at the pre-prohibition bar where they swear by sustainable and original bar prep ingredients such as in-season and fresh melon, mint and cherries. Ginger ale and ginger beer are also made fresh by the restaurant - a rare treat indeed.

According to our server, the restaurant is owned by over 40,000 North Dakota farmers and claims to be among a handful of restaurants in the world that have obtained LEED status. The pork ribs hail from Orange County, Virginia where three generations of farmers have perfected the art of raising livestock. The rest of the menu items carry similar stories. So if you are looking for a good meal in DC with a low carbon footprint, I would recommend dropping by this gem of a restaurant.

Good luck to the team at Founding Farmers and we look forward to many more delicious and sustainably sourced meals.

To dine green in your community, look here for more information: http://www.dinegreen.com/customers/