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Appalachian State University’s 2011 People’s Choice Winning Solar Homestead Purchased for $15,000

by Madison V. Fisler

Dec. 12, 2013. Appalachian State University’s 2011 entry into the Solar Decathlon is under contract for purchase by an Ashe County resident. 

photo by Madison Fisler
photo by Madison Fisler

The Solar Homestead, which was ASU’s entry into the 2011 Solar Decathlon, has rested at Appalachian State University since it came back from the competition.

The homestead, which won the People’s Choice Award for their design, is a completely self-sufficient, solar-powered home. 

After the school advertised that the home was for sale in November, one bid was received. The $15,000 bid was put in by Ashe County resident Sandra Phillips.

From Dec. 12-13 meeting materials for the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees:

Under delegation of authority by the Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund, Chancellor Peacock agreed with the recommendation and authorized University officials to accept the bid and transfer the Solar Homestead to the new owner in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Invitation for Bids. 

The Provost, Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs and Chancellor recommended transfer of all net proceeds from the sale of the Solar Homestead to an account established for the University’s participation in Solar Decathlon: Europe 2014.

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges 20 collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive. 

The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency. The purpose of the Solar Decathlon is to educate student participants and the general public. 

In October of 2011, The Solar Homestead team announced that the Solar Homestead was the winner of the People’s Choice Award for the competition. The award was announced at a Victory Reception in the solar Village in West Potomac Park—the last official event of Solar Decathlon 2011. 

The team also placed second in the competition’s 2011 Communications Contest. 

Check out a video walkthrough of the Solar Homestead:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqDSlpBFQCg[/youtube]

The current Solar Decathlon: Europe team, Team Reciprocite, is currently in the construction phase of their own project which will be presented in France this summer.

While the 2011 Solar Decathlon focused on stand-alone homes, the Solar Decathlon 2014 in Europe will focus on a different set of qualifications and ideals. 

For more information about the current Solar Decathlon: Europe team, check out our previous articles here