Since 2002, the US has hosted the biggest solar energy competition in the world: The Solar Decathlon on the National Mall. Last year over 300,000 Americans toured the exhibits. This year, for the first time, the National Parks service has pulled the Solar D permit for using the National Mall just months before the competition begins in September 2011.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2011/02/08/solar-decathlon-replaced-by-national-book-festival/

Every iteration, the competition gets better and better, but this callous removal of our permit threatens to shutdown future competitions (IMO) because it is eroding sponsorship confidence; sponsors who were told their products would have national advertising on the nation's "Front Lawn."

Wasn't it during the recent State of the Union address the President called renewable energy our country's next "Sputnik moment"? What a fine way to lead!

* Before someone posts about how ridiculously expensive the houses in the past have been: this is the first year the homes are judged on affordability!

This is so infuriating! After working on our sponsors and our house for the past year, this bombshell was dropped on us. Thanks alot


Had to get that off my chest! What do you think?

Edit: Ah crap! Meant to post in Soap Box. Can a mod please move this thread?

[Edited on February 9, 2011 at 11:00 AM. Reason : oops...wrong forum]

2/9/2011 10:59:24 AM

I think it's relevant to tech talk, and equally annoying. Solar, to me, is barely better than a joke of a home power source - but without continued innovation and investment it will always remain that way, and that's unacceptable for such a promising tech.

2/9/2011 2:44:42 PM

I got this from the AIA this morning:

Quote :

"Dear XXXXXXXX, Assoc. AIA: As you may have heard, the Department of Energy recently announced that the Solar Decathlon will not be held on the National Mall, as it has since its inception in 2002. This biennial event “challenges 20 collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive.” It showcases the best in innovation and promotes an integrated approach to solving our nation’s problems. Moving the site would greatly diminish the success of the event due to the diminished visibility, and damage the project's effectiveness as an education tool for the profession. Last month, the Department of Energy announced that it was seeking a new location for the 2011 Decathlon, citing the deteriorating condition of the National Mall and a conflict with the Mall restoration plans, more specifically the impact the event has on the turf. This is a confusing rationale because the turf restoration is not scheduled to occur until after the Decathlon was over. Not only does the National Mall lend its gravitas as a national symbol to the event, but it is also a high-profile, high visibility location - which certainly contributes greatly to the extensive media coverage, high level of public participation and overall impact of the event enjoys. Furthermore, moving the site at this late date in the process will burden the participating college teams with unnecessary challenges and hardships, as they must now account for new site requirements, different geographic coordinates, weather implications, etc. Many do not have the time or money available to make these accommodations to ensure the overall success of their houses. No official replacement site has been announced, but this is expected any day. Unofficial sources have noted that the National Harbor is being considered as a temporary location for the Decathlon. The National Harbor, located in Maryland, south of Washington, DC, may be a nice venue for other events, but it is incomparable to the National Mall – it does not have the visibility or easy access necessary for such an event. It is imperative that we keep the Solar Decathlon on the National Mall. Unfortunately there is little time to act. Please click here to contact your Members of Congress TODAY and ask them to increase pressure on Secretary Chu (Department of Energy) and Secretary Salazar (Interior Department , which governs the National Park Service) to reverse this decision and keep the Solar Decathlon where it belongs – on the National Mall. Sincerely, Paul Mendelsohn Vice-President AIA Government & Community Relations"

Another good article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/07/AR2011020705380.html

[Edited on February 9, 2011 at 2:50 PM. Reason : .]

2/9/2011 2:47:18 PM

Given that they just gave the space over to the Library of Congress, it may be too late. Now, not only do you have to convince the Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior to change things around, but you also need to convince Congress to press the LoC to shift their book festival to another venue. This makes it a bit messier because now it's become a solar power versus national literacy fight for which event deserves the venue.

2/9/2011 7:41:14 PM

It's irritating mostly because we've been planning on having our event on the mall for over a year! It's not cool to just pull the carpet out from under us and potentially ruin sponsorship opportunities. Now we cannot ensure anyone where their products will be displayed

This is the kind of thing that should be set in stone BEFORE design starts!

2/9/2011 10:09:12 PM

http://www.youtube.com/SolarDecathlon2011#p/a/u/0/JL59XxRHtDg

Plz to embed!

2/15/2011 10:36:51 PM

Looks like they've announced the new location.

http://www.solardecathlon.gov/pdfs/2011_map.pdf

West Potomac Park. Not as good as the Mall itself, but it's still much better than the National Harbor and is a heavily trafficked tourist area.

2/24/2011 12:17:59 AM

Yep! News came yesterday after the conference call w/ the DoE. VERY excited and relieved!

2/24/2011 7:18:49 AM

Given all the hoopla, I'm going to have to see this now in the fall.

2/24/2011 6:04:55 PM