The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® prepares innovators to design and construct high-performance, low-carbon buildings through hands-on collegiate competitions, professional continuing education, and high school programs. The Solar Decathlon’s flagship collegiate competitions prepares the next generation of building professionals to design and build sustainable, zero energy buildings. The Design Challenge is a one- to two-semester, design-only competition, while the Build Challenge is a two-year design-build competition. The collegiate competitions have challenged more than 25,000 students to create efficient, affordable buildings powered by sustainable resources, while promoting student innovation, STEM education, and workforce development opportunities in the buildings industry.
