WAC Lighting Sponsors 2017 U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon

DENVER, Oct. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WAC Lighting is sponsoring the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, an award-winning program that challenges 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 Solar Decathlon kicks off today in Denver, Colorado, adjacent to the 61st & Peña Station. Free public tours of the energy-efficient houses are available from Thursday, Oct. 5 through Monday, Oct. 9, 2017 and Thursday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017.

"The Solar Decathlon offers an extraordinary opportunity for educating the next generation of architects, engineers, builders and homeowners about the role that solid state lighting plays in modern sustainable home building, energy design and green construction," said WAC Lighting President Shelley Wald. "As a Responsible Lighting Company, we are extremely proud to support this Competition which showcases forward-thinking students in their use of advanced technologies to create sustainable, energy efficient living strategies."

12 collegiate teams will create high-performance houses that reflect current market conditions, innovative building and the best in sustainable living. Each team that successfully builds a solar house at the site and completes the competition will receive $100,000. The third-place finisher will receive $150,000, the second-place team $225,000, and the first-place team will receive $300,000.

Thousands of middle school students from Colorado and Wyoming will receive tours of the homes and fun workshops on energy conservation and renewable energy during four Education Days.  A Teachers Workshop Day will incorporate Project Based Learning (PBI) into the educator training program, as well as a concentration on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The Sustainability Expo will showcase forward-thinking companies and nonprofit organizations that share strategies, products and technologies that can be incorporated into homes for today and tomorrow. Education materials will be available to builders, realtors, architects and consumers.

Many of the solar homes will feature luminaires from WAC Lighting. In addition to WAC Lighting, current sponsors include Wells Fargo, Schneider Electric, Panasonic, Westin Hotels, Danby, Beko, and the U.S. DOE. Previous sponsors include Tesla, Target, BP and Pella Windows.

As a Responsible Lighting company, WAC Lighting invents LED lighting that is 80-90 percent more energy efficient than traditional light bulbs, and engineered to last 25 times longer than old technology. The company provides innovative technology, inspiring award-winning designs and zero landfill manufacturing. Visit waclighting.com

SOURCE WAC Lighting