Eco Factor: Solar-powered house from Germany wins Solar Decathlon 2009 competition.
The Solar Decathlon 2009 saw participants from all over the globe aiming to develop the best possible solar-powered house in the world. The German team from the Technische Universität Darmstadt has emerged as the winner, with a solar-powered house known as surPLUShome, which is almost entirely covered in photovoltaic panels.
This is the second time team Germany has won the competition, but this year’s surPLUShome pushed the envelope in every respect from the use of new technology to complement non-traditional architecture. The surPLUShome is a two-story cubical house covered with PV panels capable of generating up to 11.1KW of power.
The interiors feature a single multi-functional room that operates as kitchen, living, dining, bath and bedroom. Furniture too is multi-purpose and can be folded to make more space when the need arises. The house also features custom-made vacuum insulation structural panels, a boiler/heat pump system that provides hot water and warmth and automatic louver-covered windows.
The surPLUShome scored 908 points out of a total of 1000 points, with Team Illinois placing second with 897 points and Team California placing third with a total of 863 points.
Via: Inhabitat
