SU+RE Power: Energy Independence and the Sustainable Resilient Sun

Abstract

The use of solar power is the central requirement of the Solar Decathlon house design competition. Guest‐ Editor Clarke Snell and SU+RE House student team member Alex Carpenter here describe why this is so crucial, and how the Stevens Institute entry fulfilled and exceeded this part of the brief. Its arrays of photovoltaic panels – conceived to resist the elements, and subdivided to ensure a constant supply even in the event of partial damage – provide more energy than the house requires. The surplus can be fed back into the grid, or diverted to an outdoor energy hub for use by neighbours if the grid fails.