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Iowa State Enters Solar Decathlon
BOB ELBErT
in early April, after a year of design work, Iowa State
University’s new Solar Decathlon Team moved its
project outside for the initial build. The 800-square-
foot (74-square-meter) Interlock House is aimed at an
emerging market: recent retirees who want to downsize and eliminate energy bills. Evacuated tubes drive
the radiant heating system, and the house will carry
about 4 kilowatts of photovoltaic capacity, in rooftop
modules and in sun-tracking louvers over windows
and skylights. About 75 students are involved from
11 academic disciplines. Here, Trevor Hanus, Tor Fin-seth, Tyler Thomas, Mike Berg, Aaron Brncich and
Megan Drake start framing in earnest. The 2009 Solar
Decathlon takes place Oct. 8–18 on the National Mall
in Washington, D.C. ST
16 June 2009 SOLAR TODAY
solartoday.org
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