Opening ceremony starts Solar Decathlon 2011

By Steven Lincoln College of Technology Writer/Editor (Photo: Ribbon cutting for Solar Decathlon 2011, with all teams and several dignitaries present. Notice the Purdue flag in the center.) Thursday was the opening ceremony for the Solar Decathlon. The big event tent was overflowing with media, sponsors, and friends of the programs. As we walked into the tent, "Walking on Sunshine" was blaring from the speakers. It was followed by several other songs with the word "sun" in them. Several people spoke at the event, including Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, who is a big supporter of the competition. He thanked the teams for "showing that we can power our homes on renewable energy." Arun Majumdar, director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E), which is part of the Department of Energy, also welcomed the teams. "Your houses are inspiring, practical, fun, elegant, and affordable," he said. Representatives from the major sponsors -- Dow Corning, Lowe's, M.C. Dean, Pepco, and Schneider Electric -- also spoke. Dow Corning has partnered with the competition to create curriculum about renewable energy for middle school students. Early next week, they will welcome 60 busloads of students to the site to learn from the teams. M.C. Dean, Pepco, and Schneider helped create the microgrid for the site, hooked up each home to the microgrid, installed smart meters on each house, and ensured that the microgrid was tied into the Washington, D.C., main grid. Jeff Drees, president of Schneider Electric, highlighted four things that the teams have demonstrated:

  1. Collaboration is important: "No one company can solve our energy dilemma."
  2. Renewable energy technology is available today: "We have to learn from you students and take your ideas back to our jobs."
  3. Customer value is important
  4. It's all about people

Team photos followed and then the crowd watch the ceremonial ribbon cutting before tours began. Video blog of opening ceremony from Solar Decathlon: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/archives/1608