Standard Solar to support team capitol DC in 2013 solar decathlon

Thursday, Jan 10, 2013

Standard Solar, Inc., a leader in the full-service development, installation and financing of solar electric systems for residential, commercial, government and utility customers, today announced its support and sponsorship of Team Capitol DC in the 2013 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. The Solar Decathlon is an award-winning international competition that challenges elite collegiate teams to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive. Team Capitol DC will compete in the decathlon October 3–13, 2013, at Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California.

“We are honored to serve as an advisor to Team Capitol DC and look forward to applying our real-world experience to the creative concepts the team develops”

Team Capitol DC represents an unprecedented collaboration of three District of Columbia universities, comprising more than 100 students and faculty leaders from The Catholic University of America, The George Washington University and American University. Together, the three-university team will compete against 19 other teams in the international competition. Over the next year, the team will work together to design, manufacture and communicate about a solar-powered house, which will be then transported and assembled in California for the competition. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

Although the competition takes place in October 2013, the team will follow the progress and discuss topics related to solar energy through a video webisode series housed on the official website, along with blog and social media channels, throughout the year. Standard Solar will serve as an active advisor to the team, providing the team with technical consultation through the design process, materials and onsite installation consultation during the team’s building period on CUA’s campus this spring. CJ Colavito, Standard Solar’s Director of Engineering, will work directly with the team.

“Team Capitol DC is thrilled to work with CJ and Standard Solar on implementing the PV system on our Harvest house. Not only does this partnership assist us in achieving our three goals for the project: serving veterans, winning the competition, and educating the public on healthy sustainable design; it is only through working with industry leaders like Standard Solar that we truly engage our students in designing for the clean energy future,” said William Jelen, AIA, Solar Decathlon Director, The Catholic University of America.

“We are honored to serve as an advisor to Team Capitol DC and look forward to applying our real-world experience to the creative concepts the team develops,” said Tony Clifford, Standard Solar’s CEO. “Our involvement in the Solar Decathlon is coming full circle, as CJ was involved as a student in the first event held in 2002. The students participating in this program are the clean energy leaders of tomorrow and we are proud to support and foster the team’s ingenuity, preparing them for a rewarding career.”

Source: Business Wire