808A West 10th Street

The 2002 Solar House was S&T's first entry into the Solar Decathlon. It was built by S&T and RIT students and was eventually permanently placed at the Solar Village. The house has a simple layout being described as a typical midwest ranch. The roof is covered with photo-voltaic cells as well as water heating tubes. Inside are several energy efficient appliances as well.

Electrical and Mechanical Systems

 The house makes power from 32 BP Solar BP-3160 Solar pannels producing 5.12kW. These panels charge 8 Trojan L-16H lead acid batteries which hold 375 Amp Hours of charge at 48 Volts. The batteries run through 2 Trace SW5548 inverters changing the 48V DC into common 110-120VAC current found in almost all homes. The house's hot water comes from 40 Thermomax evacuated tubes which heat water that is stored in an 80 gallon storage tank. The house is heated and cooled by a Mitsubishi heat pump. A resistance heated forced air system provides added heat on extremely cold days.

Construction & Structural Systems

Standard stick and timber construction was used on the 02' house. Walls were constructed out of steel studs and filled with extruded foam. Originally the roof was designed to fold and the house was built into three sections to make transportation to Washington, DC easier; however, the house is now permanantly fastened together and to the foundation.

Appliances & Special Features

 The house uses nothing but energy efficient appliances. The washer/dryer combination unit is much more efficient than if the house were to have a separate washer and dryer. Energy efficient floresent lighting lights the house with the bulbs using 75% less power than conventional lighting. Appliances are hidden behind cabinet faces to give the kitchen a more uniform look. Also, the living room bookcase is built into a door so that the bedroom and living room can be connected in order to give the impression of a larger room.