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Santa Clara University Solar Home |
In October of 2007 Green Alchemy was pleased to join the Santa Clara University Solar House team as they created a beautiful solar powered home for the 'Solar Decathlon' competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy. The contest requires each home to perform set tasks while maintaining all the comforts of an American home.
Yasmin (left) and Ty (center) from SCU meet with Deborah.
When
Yas called me and asked me about doing a garden design for a house in
Santa Clara I told her I don't work on the peninsula and started to give
her referrals of firms in her area. "But wait," she said. She went on
to explain this was a solar home, and it was going to be shipped to
Washington D.C. to compete in the 2007 Solar Decathlon. "Wait a second,"
I said, "don't talk to anybody else."
Yas went on to explain the
competition and how SCU was a late entry, we were already behind
schedule. I had her send me the pdf files and we got started right away.
Within
two months the home would be assembled and tested at the SCU campus and
then shipped to Washington DC. We chose to focus the garden design on
the 'marketability' factor of the competition and utilize the plantings
to create a welcoming appearance.
I visited the home once while it was still at the SCU campus, 4 days before it was scheduled to leave for D.C.
The great mall, Washington D.C. Five days to go.
When
I got to D.C. the house was still in the process of becoming a 'home'.
The decks and planters were not in place yet. And there was a heat
wave happening. I was introduced to the teachers involved in the
project and given a bunk at the prof's place. Four days to go.
The
energy on the mall was intense. Every team was working nonstop around
the clock. Teachers, staff, parents, friends came and went with
transportation, food, lending their help where they could. The
Decathlon staffers made sure protocol was adhered to and regular safety
inspections kept everyone in check. Temporary lights guided many
through the night as panels were connected and tests were conducted on
various systems that would make or break a team's success in the
competition. And then, out of nowhere the University of Puerto
Rico would take up musical instruments and have a dance party. Hey!
Ty,
Yas, and I jumped in a U-Haul and headed out to the country. Along the
way we stopped at a road side stand selling pumpkins and gourds. It
seemed so perfect, staying in tune with the season and making our house
more of a home. Three days to go.
We made our way to the local nurseries and growers.
Prior
to our trip out to the nurseries I had explored the neighborhood around
the great mall and was surprised at how many of the plants in the
landscape were not only familiar to me but amongst my favorites.
Ipomoea, Echinacea, Abelia, I was in good shape, as long as I left
before the snow started to fly.
Not
much was happening in the nurseries. The growing season was over and
business was slowing down. I had been warned by my plant contact on the
east coast so I was prepared. We went to Merrifield Garden Center - and fell in love with this place. The staff was excellentand they came see us on the great mall.
We bring the plants home.
Two days to go.
The
color scheme of the plant design was chartreuse and burnt red for the
shade side and grey and white for the side with the east/south
exposure. There was a variety of texture and seasonal interest.
Edibles were incorporated and bird attractants. All the plants were
drought tolerant.
Interior plants wait their turn. One day to go.
The Echinacea at the front door was a huge hit with the public.
We
wanted the interior of the house to integrate with the exterior. The
Nana doors open wide to make the deck a extension of the home. That's a
fig tree at the front door.
During the opening ceremony Assistant Secretary Alexander Karsner spoke
of The Solar America Initiative as a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
effort to accelerate the development of advanced solar energy
technologies. The goal is to make solar electricity cost-competitive
with conventional forms of electricity by 2015.
I looked at the
students in attendance that came from schools around the globe and I saw
how alternative energy is not an ideal for them, it is a reality, a
part of their lifestyle. Mr. Karsners words filled me with the
realization there is change happening if I choose to pay attention and
get involved.
The
SCU team was a powerhouse. The underdogs passed their systems tests
and were ready with open doors when most of the other teams were still
hammering and putting on finishing touches. SCU was well organized and
their tours for the public were flawless.
Relaxing on the deck between tours.
Ty finaly gets a break.
The solar home must charge the solar go cart and the mileage logged is part of the competition.
This is a bit of a 'Where's Waldo?' picture. It was a lot of fun to mingle with the crowds on opening day.
The
feedback from the public was that the SCU house was very comfortable
and they could see themselves living in it. And that is exactly what
SCU was after. SCU took third place. Congratulations!
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