s.ky blue information
The Solar Decathlon is a project of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Adaptability: 15#
The adaptable features in the s.ky blue house range from interior elements that double as furniture and art to concealed doors and spaces along with sensor activated elements and atmospheric controls.
To maximize space in the public portion of the house, the s.ky blue team has designed and fabricated a pocket-table that slides into the kitchen wall. In its closed position the table fits flush with the wall assembly.
Various concealed areas and spaces can be found throughout the house. These spaces can be used to store household or personal goods and function as work or relaxation areas. An example of a concealed space is demonstrated in the bedroom closets that frame the bed. This folds down to present an office space, seasonal storage and ultimately function as a built-in unit with reading lights and speakers.
Tilt angles for the roof mounted, single-axis tracking PV array can range from 0 to 40 degrees; 0 degrees for transport, 5-degrees for summer solar angles and 40-degrees for winter solar angles. Adjusting the roof rack to the ideal solar angle for October would place the array at a height higher than allowed by the 2009 Solar Decathlon Rules for the National Mall. For this reason, the Roof-mounted PV Array will be fixed at 15-degrees to remain below the 18’ height limitation.
The electrochromatic glass electronically tints in response to the atmospheric clock and control system to optimize the house in terms of shading to prevent heat gain during the Kentucky cooling months and supplement heat gain during the winter months.
