Schneider Electric is a proud sponsor of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2009

The Solar Decathlon challenges students from 20 university teams from the United States, Canada, Germany and Spain to design, build and operate energy efficient, solar-powered houses at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The houses will be assembled in a solar village that will be open to the public from Oct. 9 to 13 and Oct. 15 to 18, 2009, and will feature energy efficiency and renewable energy exhibits with strategies to reduce consumption of fossil fuels and lower utility bills. The Solar Decathlon demonstrates innovative clean energy technology research and development; shows consumers the benefits of solar-powered living; and develops a well-trained workforce who is uniquely prepared for green jobs.

Contestants will be required to connect their houses’ electric systems to the local Washington, D.C., utility service provider through a “microgrid” consisting of electrical infrastructure. Schneider Electric has donated the micro-grid design, site and engineering services, as well as the required electrical distribution equipment for the event. For the first time in the Solar Decathlon’s history, teams will compete in a net-metering contest, which allots points to teams that produce more energy than they utilize. Surplus solar energy will be sold back to the utility provider to meet the energy needs of the greater D.C. community. Additionally, Schneider Electric products have been donated for use in Solar Decathlon homes.

To learn more about the Solar Decathlon, please visit www.solardecathlon.org.

For questions about Schneider Electric’s involvement in the Solar Decathlon, please click here.