Sunpower panels were used by first place teams in the last three Solar Decathlon competitions held in the U.S. This year, the company is supporting teams from three of the five participating Spanish universities (University of Sevilla, CEU University Cardenal Herrera and Institute of Advance Architecture of Cataluna), as well as the University of Florida (USA), the University of Rosenheim (Germany) and the University of Paris Arts et Metiers (France).
"Sunpower is honored to support the talent and enthusiasm of these students, as their projects may help advance the residential use of renewable energy throughout Europe," said Luis Torres, general director of market development, EMEA at SunPower. "Up to 50 percent more efficient than conventional panels, Sunpower solar panels are the most reliable choice for constrained areas such as residential rooftops because they will generate more power than other solar products."
The Solar Decathlon Europe, organized by the Spanish Ministry of Housing, is modeled after the Solar Decathlon that is held by the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. every two years. In this first European competition, decathletes will compete at the Solar Village, located near the River Manzanares, close to the Principe Pio station. "This Solar Decathlon, the world's most prestigious solar home-building competition, will be the first in which all teams are connected to the grid following the design of European markets and emphasizing self-consumption in homes," added Torres.
The Decathlon, hosting 17 teams from three continents, challenges students to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive. From June 18 through June 27 the public can view and tour the homes as they are built.
Renowned architects and engineers make up the international panel that is judging the competition. Judges include the 2002 Pritzker Prize winner Glenn Murcutt; the president of Toyota Housing Inc., Senta Morioka; Fiona Cousins, director of Arup New York; and Francisco Mangado and Manuel Toharia of Spain.
