If solar power re-defines the economic might of Silicon Valley
over the next decade like many experts say it will, then 30
students from Santa Clara University might want to help out.
If solar power re-defines the economic might of Silicon Valley over the next decade like many experts say it will, then 30 students from Santa Clara University might want to help out.
Two weeks ago they placed third after competing against 20 university teams from across the globe in Washington, D.C., to build the most energy-efficient solar home for this year’s Solar Decathlon.
The Department of Energy sponsored the third house-building competition in six years on the National Mall to promote solar energy for homes, and SCU squeaked into the contest after one of this year’s 20 teams dropped out.
Things almost ended tragically, though, when the team’s truck broke two axles in Nebraska while hauling their 700-square-foot house.
After arriving three days late, though, SCU rallied to become this year’s Cinderella story, according to team leader James Bickford, a 21-year-old senior studying mechanical engineering.
After a week of judging, SCU – which only has 4,500 undergraduate students who concentrate on engineering – placed behind a German college and the University of Maryland.
Teams were judged on energy efficiency and design, with individual contests concentrating on architecture, marketability, water heating and appliance use. Each team also had to produce enough solar juice to charge an electric car.
“I think it is very important for new green technologies and products to continue being developed and introduced to the average consumer,” wrote Kim Munson, a senior studying marketing and studio art. “The Solar Decathlon is a fantastic opportunity to showcase such technologies and educate the general public and potential consumers about the benefits of these products.”
Thanks to the creativity of students like Munson and the ingenuity of her engineering teammates, the house hailing from Silicon Valley featured electrochromic windows: glass that darkens or lightens to adjust the house’s indoor temperature.
Downtown Business Association Director Steve Ashford became a part of the team when his company, Kline Construction, was hired to help design and construct the home’s deck. Ashford was recruited by his son, Ty, who served as the project’s interior designer.
Ashford and his partner, Bill Kline, also became consultants to the team, teaching them about operating heavy equipment such as cranes, that were necessary for the construction and delivery of the house. The men, whose business is based in Gilroy, joined the students in Washington D.C. to help them construct the house’s deck after the team’s late arrival.
“The kids actually got it together and we were able to build our deck around it,” said Ashford, adding that the unusual appearances of the other houses would probably clash with Gilroy, but “the one that SCU built could be right next door to my house.”
The team began building the one-bedroom, one-bathroom Mission-style house 18 months ago after receiving a $100,000 grant from the DOE and subsequent donations from 55 businesses, including PG&E.
The students designed it with the everyday American in mind, Bickford said.
“I feel like I am a part of something very big, I am able to work toward an ethical cause, I am able to be on the groundwork of very cutting-edge science, and I can be successful and comfortable,” Bickford wrote.
One feature that stuck out to Ashford was the use of bamboo: Bamboo beams composed the roof structure, and the house’s linen products were all derived from bamboo and rayon.
“It was a prime opportunity to highlight and emphasize the commercial availability of these products,” said Ty Ashford, 23, who has since applied to SCU for business classes.
