As disappointed as some local fans of the Solar Decathlon may be, it turns out this might have been a good year for the event to move out of Washington, D.C.

 

While budget dispute clouds loom over the federal government and the Capitol, the biannual Department of Energy event is casting its own sunshine in Irvine, California.

 

The Decathlon, started in 2002 by Dr. Richard King of the U.S. Solar Program as a way of shining a spotlight on America’s best and brightest university team designs for solar-powered homes, has drawn millions of visitors from across the globe over the past 11 years. The purpose of the contest, according to DOE’s website, is first to “educate students and the public about the money-saving opportunities and environmental benefits presented by clean-energy products and design solutions.” Secondly, the event strives to “demonstrate to the public the comfort and affordability of homes that combine energy-efficient construction and appliances with renewable energy systems available today.”

 

The Solar Decathlon’s tagline this year is A Path to a Brighter Future.