Source Scientific American
Ever wonder what the Department of Energy does with your tax dollars?
Here is one not so bright idea...
Solar Decathlon's Rainy Start
Sep 23, 2011
The Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon kicked off September 23, in Washington on the National Mall, under dark rainy skies.
In a press release announcing the competition, Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu is quoted as saying, "The Solar Decathlon collegiate teams are showing how clean energy products and efficient building design can help families and businesses reduce energy use and save money... Continue...
4 comments:
There is a device called a "digester" that burns methane produced by solid waste. The burner is part of the system and accelerates the process and burns off the liquid which in turn produces more methane. Similar devices were used by native Americans for hundreds of years and are available on the market. The solids are composted within the system and can be used for fertilizer. Think of it as a different kind of wind generator.
It would seem to me that a shack and/or cottage of the sizes that are pictured in article could be built even w/solar panels for much less than $100,000 a piece. Even a novice builder should be able to build something like this by following instructions. I could understand you may need an electrician, but that seems an excessive price tag.
I am a current student at VA Tech, last years winner of the International Solar Decathlon. This project involved many students,hundreds of private sponsors and resulted in a ground breaking technology and foreward thinking design. Considering that this was an educaional project fundeded for the advancement of home technology I would disagree that 100,000 is a waste of money. In comarison to the military funded research done by other professors at my school this amount is a bargin for the return in knowledge. I dont agree that 450ft wind tubines are the answer to our nation enrgy needs.... but if your house used zero outside electricity in the first place we wouldnt be having any of these discussions. Im voting Repubican in the Cape becasue im NOT a closed minded Conservative.
I guess I'll have to find the actual technical details elsewhere. The idea of a solar outhouse is a bit intriguing. There's solar electricity, and passive solar water heaters. What further innovations did it incorporate? I have to agree, that even though this may have been an excellent learning experience for the students, I don't see anything new here. Although, keeping these technologies in the minds of future engineers is worthwhile, it seems to be delegated mostly to academics rather than actual applications.
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