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Email6th Overall
October 26, 2007
Georgia Tech was a first-time competitor, and the team came in with a rather impressive placing.
By far, the most interesting feature of the house was the rooftop retractable reflectors. These reflectors come out from underneath the solar panels and help reflect extra sunlight into the panels on a cloudy day. Ultimately, these would be completely automated, but for competition and demonstration purposes they were manually operated. Not only were these a unique feature of the house, but this also is a new technology entirely designed by the students at Georgia Tech.
Along with the 6.5 kW array on the roof was a 2 kW array on the south facade. "Those panels can generate about 20 percent of the energy [needed] for afternoon activities," said Jonathan Cook, an architecture student. Adding panels that are oriented vertically allowed late-afternoon sunlight to be harnessed.
Rainwater was captured in 20" PVC pipes underneath the exterior deck. The gray water in these tanks is not for potable use. Instead, the water was used to cool mechanical systems. While the concept is green, the use of PVC pipes is very controversial as they are very environmentally unfriendly.
A series of light shelves ran along the south and east facades of the structure. These shelves bounced harsh sunlight away from the house to keep the interior cooler. Because the exterior wall was made of translucent panels, only filtered indirect light reached inside.
In the back of the house it appeared that there was an art piece. Upon further inspection, it was a creative way to house a solar-thermal system. The tubes were set upright inside a Zen rock gardenlike area. Form and function.
The computer software that controlled the variety of technologies in the house continuously monitored energy use. It even had the ability to warn the homeowner when energy supplies were low.
While Georgia Tech does not have a sustainable-design program in place, the interest is definitely growing. Cook told Greentech Media that there "are a lot of new professors who are really into it." Taking sixth place in its first competition will no doubt show the school that not only is there interest, there is talent.