UNLV students in second place in 19-team Solar Decathlon
University of Nevada, Las Vegas students Thursday climbed to No. 2 out of 19 teams in the Solar Decathlon, a Department of Energy-sponsored competition that challenges students to create energy-efficient homes.
Stanford University is in first place.
The decathlon, which ends Oct. 13, is judged based on performance in 10 categories, including architecture, engineering, communications, affordability, comfort zone, hot water, appliances, home entertainment, energy balance and market appeal.
UNLV’s DesertSol vacation home took first place in the market appeal contest Thursday, to launch the team into second place from third.
Earlier in the competition the team tied for first place in hot water production, third for home enterintament and fourth in comfort zone, or the ability to regulate temperature.
“I think we’re definitely competitive,” said Jaclyn Kidd, a recent architecture graduate who started working on the project one year ago. “We’ve had a ton of positive feedback from the community.”
Fans can vote for teams online at www.solardecathlon.gov. Voting ends Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time.
Winners will be announced Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. The ceremony will stream live from the website.
