DOE Solar Decathlon Design Team
Problem statement
Most of us know climate change and global warming are detrimental to our planet, but how can we comfortably adjust how we live to prevent a climate crisis? Minimizing our energy use is a major opportunity to decrease the negative effects on the planet since most US energy is from fossil fuels. Based on the US Energy Information Administration’s 2017 State Energy Data System, the residential sector accounts for 23% of total WI energy consumption [1]. If the 1,300 new single family homes that were constructed in Dane County were built Net-Zero, the reduction in energy use and CO2 emissions would be the equivalent to removing 2,400 cars off of the county’s roads [2],[3]. While net-zero homes have been successfully constructed in many climates, price-points, and forms there is no single way to approach their design. So, we will work alongside a UW Milwaukee architect team to optimize a net-zero, single family home to fit our potential Dane County client’s needs and to be submitted to the DOE’s Solar Decathlon competition. Using tools such as energy models and building performance simulators, we will determine how to economically create the most energy efficient house and how to power the home with on-site renewables such as solar or geothermal. Ultimately, our design should result in a feasible net-zero residential home in Wisconsin that meets both our client’s needs and the competition’s guidelines.
Team members
Ben Laufer – leader
Noah Harvey – communicator
Nick Roberts – accountant
Gabi Kim – admin