Last Friday, I played hooky from Real Estate and still ended up going to an Open House. Well, this wasn't just any Open House. I was at the second dry run showing for Lawrence Technological Universities Aloeterra Team entry in The Solar Decathlon. Why a dry run? More than 100,000 people are expected to visit the home during their 8 Day Open House. (Realtors®, there are some good marketing ideas for your next Open House in the article)

LTU, will be one of 20 teams participating in this years Solar Decathlon on the Mall in Washington D.C. Students from 3 colleges within LTU combined to build a prototype solar home for the Solar Decathlon. (You do understand prototype is code for expensive) LTU is this year's Michigan entry although other Universities participated in the past.

LTU's Aloeterra team decided to go "simple" in the construction of their 770 sqft entry. Using a modular construction, entries are trucked to Washington D.C., with Structurally Integrated Panels (SIP's), Solar Panels on the Roof, Solar Hot Water and Heat, and high efficiency lighting and appliances.

According to the Solar Decathlon website, all prototype homes are limited to a height of 18 feet, have a total square feet dimension of no more than 800 square feet, with at least 450 square feet of conditioned living area. All teams must also charge and drive a two person electric vehicle and have no                LTU Prototype Solar Home Tour                      
more than 6 members operating the house at one time. More information and rules are available on the Solar Decathlon website.

In the Solar Decathlon, homes are judged in 10 contests in the following main categories:

• Architecture
• Engineering
• Market Viability
• Communication
• Comfort Zone
• Appliances
• Hot Water
• Lighting

LTU Aloeterra members brought us through the home in groups of 10 people and a student guide viewed the interior of the home. With only about 660 sqft of interior space, I only viewed the kitchen and one bedroom area. Although this was their second Open House, plenty of finish work remained prior to judging in Washington D.C. I must say, the Decathlete leading my group was very funny and knowledgeable. The guides did need to work on their timing going through the structure. There were at least 100                           Plenty of Work Being Completed 
people lined up at 5:00 pm when I left. Additional photos can be found on the Aloeterra website.

Please join me in wishing the Aloeterra Team good luck at the Solar Decathlon by making a comment below. If you are able, the Solar Decathlon runs from October 12 through October 20^th at the National Mall in Washington D.C. Tour Schedule

          Two Person Electric Vehicle                                                                 Modular Design View

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