Solar

The BP Solar Decathlon 2007 on the National Mall with the Capitol in the background.

One of 20 sustainable, solar-powered houses featured in the decathlon.

This week was the BP Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C. This event features solar, sustainable houses built by teams of architectural and engineering students from universities across America and around the world. This year's teams ranged from Carnegie Mellon University to Technische Universitat Darmstadt (this year's winners), from Georgia Tech to Team Montreal, from Universidad de Puerto Rico to the University of Santa Clara. In all, 20 schools competed and built some pretty impressive homes of the future. If you get a chance, go next year. It's a lot of fun and they have educational sessions for the public.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 10/07.