Hello Students,

We’re excited to announce that the applications for the Solar Decathlon at the University of Washington (SDUW) 2024-2025 Project have just opened. The project will span from September 2024 through April 2025.

Who Are We?
The Solar Decathlon at the University of Washington is an interdisciplinary student team that participates in the Solar Decathlon competition (link), a competition event run by the Department of Energy (DOE). Students will present their net-zero energy design to jurors at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory held within Golden, Colorado.

How to Apply
If you are interested in participating as a team member or team lead please fill out this google form.

Students can apply to five different teams to design a net-zero energy Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) for Seattle. The teams are the following:

• Design: Architecture team focused on the theory and design of the DADU. Team members will coordinate with other team members to create accurate design decisions to create a realistic design. Using design software and models to create presentations for industry members.
• Systems: The active mechanical systems of the building which include Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC), water systems and building automation controls. Students will use energy and building codes to create a system that promotes resident health, energy efficiency, and usability within an accurate building structure.
• Software: Energy modeling and Embodied Carbon modeling for the Solar Decathlon team. Using software such as Climate Studio and HoneyBee to provide feedback to other team members on how to improve the efficiency of design decisions. Using theory and knowledge to provide feedback to separate teams.
  
• Envelope: The materials and passive systems team. Selectively chooses materials to increase energy efficiency and reduce the embodied carbon of the structure in coordination with the other teams. Increase the passive solar gain of the structure to reduce the energy usage of the building.
• Narrative: Team to enforce and improve the narrative structure for our design. Coordinate with industry members and stakeholders to receive accurate feedback for the team. Writing and forming submittables to submit to the Solar Decathlon competition. Working with other teams to ensure the design decisions fit the stakeholders for the project.

If you have any questions regarding the Solar Decathlon or the application process, feel free to email us at solardecathlon@uw.edu! We look forward to receiving your applications and have a great day!