Electric Utility To Buy University of Maryland’s Solar Decathlon-Winning WaterShed House

The University of Maryland's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/university-of-maryland-watershed-house-wins-the-2011-solar-decathlon/">WaterShed House</a>, winner of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/2011-solar-decathlon/">2011 Solar Decathlon</a> competition, has <a href="http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-01-major-electric-solar-decathlon-winner.html">found a buyer</a> and a permanent home. The Washington, D.C.-area electric utility <a href="http://www.pepco.com/home/">Pepco</a> has agreed to buy the award-winning home, and it plans to display the house at one if its Maryland facilities for educational purposes. The University of Maryland announced yesterday that the house will serve as a "living classroom" and a "living laboratory" to showcase high-efficiency design and clean energy options.

According to a <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pepco-buys-umds-solar-decathlon-winning-home-for-public-display-2012-01-30">press release</a>, Pepco will use the home to demonstrate its original design innovations as well as Pepco's own technologies, including smart thermostats and EV charging stations, and it will also host conferences, educational presentations, and occasional public tours at the home.

Drain pipes take stormwater from the roof into built-in cisterns were it can be retained and used for irrigation.

When it was on display at the National Mall, the WaterShed home featured a lush vegetable garden, which was irrigated using recycled greywater.

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The bathroom features large, floor-to-ceiling windows, so that residents can look out on the artificial wetlands while showering.

The house includes plenty of deck space. At the Solar Decathlon in Washington, DC, the University of Maryland team placed a compost bin on one of the porches, showing how the space could be used.

The home comes equipped with energy-efficient Miele appliances and sleek, minimalist fixtures and finishes.

The University of Maryland team put a lot of care into the landscaping for the WaterShed home, selecting plants that are native to the Chesapeake Bay region.

The home measures approximately 900 square feet, and the abundance of glass in the design take full advantage of natural light.

Artificial wetlands surrounding the house are used to filter greywater so that it can be reused for non-potable needs, like irrigation.

A large solar thermal panel on the back of the house uses solar energy to heat water for domestic use.

The window looking out on the wetlands a subtle reminder of where water from the home ends up (although it doesn't offer much in the way of privacy).

Pepco will be able to use the home as an energy-testing facility, and U of M researchers say that they'll continue to measure the home's various systems to assess its long-term performance.