The Steel is Here!

January 27, 2013 by

The Steel has arrived and is currently in the process of being put together. Starting on Saturday, team members gathered at the Student Design and Experiential Learning Center and began assembling the structure that will support the solarium. The first day was a little rough with many broken drill bits, but by the end of the day we were powering through section by section. 

On Sunday, the team hit a slight set back. Mother Nature decided to make it rain. Sad day :(. Fortunately the sun poked its rays through the clouds and allowed us to continue constructing the Chameleon House!!! …even if the rain did come back for a little to get us all wet… but that’s okay! We adapted to our environment and continued to make progress! 
Here’s a picture of some of the team members on what will be our solarium! 
Check back for more updates on the Chameleon House! 
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2013 Solar House Groundbreaking

August 4, 2012 by

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This Friday, August 10th the team is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony and a “solar social”.  The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at our build site on 10th Street in Rolla – on a portion of the property used for Missouri S&T’s golf course.  There will also be solar village tours given from 2:30-3:30 p.m. before the groundbreaking ceremony.  We are very excited to break ground on the project so we can begin on our work towards the 2013 Solar Decathlon.  The team is currently finishing its new designs and will soon begin building the 2013 solar house.  We hope to see you all there!

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Solar house team hard at work over the summer!

July 11, 2012 by

This summer the Solar House team was fortunate to be able to have six team members sponsored to stay in Rolla during the summer.  These students were able to work on solar house without the distraction of classes and other things during the school year. So far these students have been able to work on drawings, specifications, public relations things, and travel to visit some of our sponsors.   So far they have been able to do a lot of work that we would not have been able to do without them.  This has allowed the team to stay on schedule and make sure everything gets taken care of.

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Missouri S&T to build house for 2013 Solar Decathlon

January 26, 2012 by

The U.S. Department of Energy announced on Thursday it has selected 20 universities to participate in the 2013 Solar Decathlon, a competition involving the building of solar houses. Missouri University of Science and Technology was one of the universities chosen.

Missouri S&T has built four solar houses for previous competitions, which were all held in Washington, D.C. In 2013, the Solar Decathlon will be hosted by the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif. No dates were announced, but the competitions are usually held every two years in the fall.

The Missouri S&T Solar House Team is finishing its designs and will begin building their 1,000-square-foot house on campus property this summer. “We are trying to focus on engineering, energy efficiencies and adaptable living – with moveable parts, including a grid wall, adjustable solar panels and transforming furniture,” says Eric Mullis, a sophomore in computer engineering from St. Louis.

All of the teams must ship their houses (and, of course, solar panels) to the contest site, where they are then reassembled. The houses are evaluated by judges in 10 categories.

The DOE typically gives grants to the teams selected to cover a chunk of the costs associated with building a solar house and participating in the competitions.

The four solar homes S&T has built in the past are now located in S&T’s Solar Village.

Original Article (http://news.mst.edu/2012/01/missouri_st_to_build_house_for.html)

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