6 Amazing Sun-Powered Homes Competing in the 2012 Solar Decathlon Europe!

Posted By Mike Chino On September 17, 2012 @ 11:30 am In Architecture,carousel showcase,Features,Renewable Energy,Solar Power,Sustainable Building | No Comments

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The 2012 Solar Decathlon Europe ^[6] kicked off this past weekend as 19 teams of students from around the world unveiled stunning solar-powered ^[7] homes in the heart of Madrid. This year's teams combined cutting-edge eco technology ^[8] and green building strategies ^[9] with tremendous creativity to achieve the decathlon's goal of creating the world's most efficient sun-powered house. From cylindrical solar homes ^[10] that generate two times more energy than they consume to Passivhauses ^[11] inspired by traditional architecture and modular prefab marvels ^[12], read on for 6 of our favorite projects in the European Solar Decathlon ^[13] - and stay tuned for our exclusive coverage this week and next week!

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Designed by the Technical University of Denmark ^[14], the Plus Energy FOLD House ^[12] is a versatile modular home that can be configured in a variety of different ways depending on how its site is laid out.

The Heliomet SunBloc House ^[15] by the London Metropolitan University ^[16] is designed to be placed on the rooftops of existing buildings, where it will supply electricity and hot water to its neighbors.

Students from Spain’s Basque University ^[17] designed the Ekihouse ^[18] – a solar-powered home wrapped in a steel mesh facade.

The Omotenashi House ^[19] by Chiba University ^[20] is a gorgeous solar home wrapped in a green wall ^[21] that was inspired by traditional Japanese architecture.

Team Zaragoza ^[22]‘s Casa Pi ^[10] is the only circular house in this year’s European Solar Decathlon ^[23]. The sun powered cylindrical home is designed to generate two times more energy than it consumes while cutting water use by one half.

China’s Tongji University ^[24] drew upon Daoist principles to design the Para Eco-House ^[11] – a self-sufficient home that takes advantage of Passivhaus strategies to keep its energy use to a minimum.

+ Solar Decathlon Europe ^[13]

+ Solar Decathlon Coverage on Inhabitat ^[23]

Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com

URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/6-amazing-sun-powered-homes-competing-in-the-2012-solar-decathlon-europe/

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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/6-amazing-sun-powered-homes-competing-in-the-2012-solar-decathlon-europe/

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[5]  : http://inhabitat.com/6-amazing-sun-powered-homes-competing-in-the-2012-solar-decathlon-europe/japans-omotenashi-house-4/?extend=1

[6] 2012 Solar Decathlon Europe: http://inhabitat.com/the-european-solar-decathlon-starts-today/

[7] solar-powered: http://inhabitat.com/solar-power/

[8] eco technology: http://inhabitat.com/green-technology/

[9] green building strategies: http://inhabitat.com/sustainable-building/

[10] cylindrical solar homes: http://inhabitat.com/cylindrical-casa-pi-by-sde-2012-team-zaragoza-produces-twice-as-much-energy-as-it-uses/

[11] Passivhauses: http://inhabitat.com/east-meets-west-in-tongji-universitys-para-eco-house-design-for-the-european-solar-decathlon/

[12] modular prefab marvels: http://inhabitat.com/plus-energy-fold-house-by-team-denmark-can-be-erected-in-multiple-configurations/

[13] European Solar Decathlon: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/sd_europe.html

[14] Technical University of Denmark: http://www.dtu.dk/English.aspx

[15] Heliomet SunBloc House: http://inhabitat.com/london-metropolitan-university-students-create-heliomet-sunbloc-solution-for-urban-environments/

[16] London Metropolitan University: http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/

[17] Basque University: http://www.ehu.es/

[18] Ekihouse: http://inhabitat.com/spanish-university-students-design-ekihouse-to-simplify-a-sustainable-lifestyle-at-the-solar-decathlon-europe/

[19] Omotenashi House: http://inhabitat.com/japans-omotenashi-house-to-promote-a-self-sufficient-lifestyle-at-2012-solar-decathlon-europe/

[20] Chiba University: http://www.chiba-u.ac.jp/e/

[21] green wall: http://inhabitat.com/tag/green-wall/

[22] Team Zaragoza: http://wzar.unizar.es/servicios/ingles/prese.htm

[23] European Solar Decathlon: http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon/

[24] Tongji University: http://www.tongji.edu.cn/english/

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