The German Contribution To the Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 – A Comparison of Four Net Zero Energy Building Prototypes Monitored Under Equal Conditions
Abstract
The Solar Decathlon Europe is an international competition for universities from all over the world to design and build a self-sufficient home, grid-connected, using solar energy as the only energy source and equipped with technologies that permit maximum energy efficiency. Four teams from German universities took part in this challenging competition. The final phase of the competition was held in Madrid in June 2010 and consisted of the assembly and exhibition of 17 houses. The houses have undergone 10 contests, in which several tasks had to be completed. The indoor air temperature had to be held between 23-25°C, the humidity between 40-55%, towels had to be washed and dried, dinners to be cooked and hot water draws from the shower to be taken etc [2]. In short: Everyday life has been simulated - and monitored. Throughout the contest week the electric generation, consumption and temporary generation-consumption correlation has been constantly measured. Now it is possible to compare the first operational experiences and monitored data of the four German contributions. The four houses built by the German teams participating in the Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 are net zero energy buildings (fig. 1). In Madrid they have been intensively monitored at the same place, the same time and with the same user profile. The strict terms and conditions of the competition assure the comparability of the monitored data and thus, of the concepts and strategies realized in the four prototype houses. The paper will thrive on this special circumstance and show a comparison of four innovative net zero energy building prototypes monitored under equal conditions.