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Energy Innovations in Maryland's Solar Decathlon Home
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WaterShed, the University of Maryland’s entry into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2011, is a solar-powered home comprised of systems that interact with each other and the environment.
Some of the innovative features of the house include: Energy Recovery Ventilator, solar panel design, liquid desiccant, indoor waterfall.
A home that harvests, recycles, and reuses water, WaterShed not only conserves but produces resources with the water it captures. Inspired by the rich, complex ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the home displays a harmony between modernity, tradition, and simple building strategies, balancing time-trusted best practices and cutting-edge technological solutions to achieve high efficiency performance in an affordable manner.
Looking to keep track of Team Maryland?
For access to the entire archive of Maryland’s Solar Decathlon 2011 videos: Visit the Member Page or see all our Solar Decathlon 2011 videos.
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On September 28th, 2011 at 3:00 pm Victoria Riess Said:
Planet Forward’s Expert Bill Worthen from the American Institute of Architects commented on this video:
See more from Bill and the other Planet Forward experts on our Ask an Expert Page.
On November 10th, 2011 at 4:21 pm Jamie Hestekin Said:
This is technically a very good idea. Makes a lot of sense. The questions that are going to be asked is cost benefit analysis. If I have an extra $5,000/yr to be green, am I better off buying a Prius or building a green house? What is the payback time? If you have the money, this looks so very cool. But how much is it compared to other less high tech options?
On November 28th, 2011 at 3:09 pm Jessica Hellmann Said:
I like conserves and *produces* resources. Good amount of technical detail. The liquid waterfalls sound interesting and hot water needs. One key question–how durable is this house? Will it still be standing and running well in 50 years?
On November 30th, 2011 at 5:40 pm Victor B. Flatt Said:
All are excellent ideas but the economics needs to be addressed for each idea; the separate PV components with internal DC/AC conversion is a particularly good idea.