ABSTRACT

This book is an inspirational story about how an idea got started, hit the ground running, and took flight. Solar Decathlon (SD) was a response to the need for innovative solutions to address a global problem—climate change. Richard King believed a collegiate competition that encouraged creative ingenuity could help transform traditional ways of designing and building houses. His idea was to motivate students to work together to craft unique sustainable, net-zero energy dwellings. Competing teams would display their prototypes in a single location as an educational showcase to the public. Following the inaugural competition and recurring events in Washington, DC, SD spread to multiple locations around the world. This historical narrative with stunning photos is a comprehensive source of information about the inception, development, and growth of Solar Decathlon.

chapter Chapter 1|5 pages

Call to Action

chapter Chapter 2|28 pages

Competitions as Motivators and Educational Tools

chapter Chapter 3|44 pages

Moving Mountains to Carry the Torch

chapter Chapter 4|63 pages

The Dream Unfolds Solar Decathlon 2002

chapter Chapter 5|117 pages

Expectations Surpassed

chapter Chapter 6|109 pages

Europeans Take Up the Charge

chapter Chapter 7|46 pages

Newfound Momentum

chapter Chapter 8|126 pages

International Expansion

chapter Chapter 9|10 pages

The Multiplier Effect