WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, October 11, 2007, U.S. Department of Energy officials will host an open house for members of the media to tour the solar village at the Solar Decathlon on the National Mall.  Members of the press will be able to tour the twenty highly energy efficient homes powered entirely by the sun, and speak with university team members before the solar village opens to the public and competition officially begins on October 12.  The open house for members of the press will take place between 5:00PM - 6:30 PM.

*NOTE: Please arrive at the media trailer near the intersection of 12th and Madison Drive (on the north side of the village) to check in.

ABOUT THE SOLAR DECATHLON: The Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon is a competition in which 20 university-led teams compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house.  The Solar Decathlon complements President Bush’s Solar America Initiative, which seeks to make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015.  This year, more than 100,000 people are expected to tour the solar village.  Complete event details, team information, high-resolution photos, and daily results are available on the Solar Decathlon website.

FOR DAILY VIDEO UPDATES:
View interviews with team members, watch daily video updates, and to look at the product directory for all the products used in the homes on the the Blue Egg Solar Decathlon site.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THE SOLAR DECATHLON:

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 (Home assembly):

• Teams assemble solar-powered homes on the National Mall
• DOE officials will be available for interviews regarding the Solar Decathlon.  Contact DOE Public Affairs to coordinate (202) 586-4940.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12 - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 (Event open to the public):

• The houses are open for tours weekdays from 11:00AM - 3:00PM and on weekends from 10:00AM – 5:00PM.
• Homes will not be open to the public on Wednesday, October 17, when the village is closed for competition purposes.
• Members of the press/public are encouraged to participate in energy-efficient workshops, tour the houses and explore educational exhibits.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12:

• The Opening Ceremony will begin at 10:00AM.  Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman is     expected to deliver opening remarks (Further press details to follow).
• Following the Opening Ceremony, the third Solar Decathlon competition officially begins and the solar village opens to the public.
• High-resolution photos and daily results of contests will be available on the Solar Decathlon website.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19:

• Teams will be judged in 10 areas encompassing architecture, engineering, livability, lighting, cooking, comfort, power generation for space heating and cooling, water heating, and appliances.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19:

• The Awards Ceremony will take place at 2:00PM (Further press details to follow).
• DOE announces overall winner of third Solar Decathlon.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20:

• Last day for members of the press/public to tour homes.

Media contact(s):
Kevin Brosnahan, (202) 586-0462