UC's team holds groundbreaking ceremony

After months of planning, a team of students from the University of Cincinnati are one wall closer to basking in victory.

In a groundbreaking ceremony held at the university, UC President Nancy Zimpher hammered in the inaugural nail before the team raised the first wall to its 800-square-feet, solar-powered home.

“This is an extraordinary moment for us,” said Zimpher. “A cornerstone of the University of Cincinnati is the way we work together across disciplines to make extraordinary and exceptional things happen.”

In October, the interdisciplinary team of more than 200 students will enter its house in the national Solar Decathlon, a select competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and corporate partners. The competition aims to increase public awareness of solar energy and inspire innovative solutions in ecological design.

Students have two years to plan a 500-800-square-foot house that receives all of its energy needs from the sun. As part of the competition, students have to provide a home with all the modern conveniences, including heating and air conditioning, refrigeration, hot water, lighting, appliances, and communications. Homes are judged on their energy production, efficiency, and design.

Houses from 20 leading schools across the globe will be displayed on the National Mall in Washington, DC Oct. 12-20.

For video coverage of the ceremony, visit http://www.magazine.uc.edu/exclusives/solarhouse.htm