UMD Team Chases Solar-Powered Victory

UMD Team Chases Solar-Powered Victory

UMD Team Chases Solar-Powered Victory

A rendering of reACT, UMD's entry for the 2017 Solar Decathlon competition.
A rendering of reACT, UMD's entry for the 2017 Solar Decathlon competition.

Two years. Ten contests. One solar-powered house. The Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon is a biennial competition that challenges student teams from universities around the world to design and build a house powered entirely by the sun.

The University of Maryland’s Solar Decathlon team will put their design and smart energy innovations to the test this fall in Denver, Colo., in the hopes of winning first place for the second time. Named reACT for “resilient Adaptive Climate Technology,” UMD’s entry is a modular design inspired by American Indian culture. The team’s range of disciplines—from engineering to architecture and environmental science to communications—helped diversify the house’s many innovations. Engineering team members have been making sure the house maximizes solar power, minimizes water usage and waste, and is informed by climate data. Alan Uy (M.S ‘18, chemical engineering) focuses on the systems engineering aspects of the house by incorporating SMART (self-monitoring analysis and reporting technology) technologies. “We’re trying to design a centralized interface to streamline data so the homeowner can manipulate whatever settings they need to,” Uy said.

The focal point of the house is a centralized courtyard where residents can experience a community feel, interact with the earth and air, and have direct access to mechanical facilities. What sets UMD’s entry apart from the rest of the competition is the automated systems of the home that are already live. Online, viewers can show see how the house would perform in current environmental conditions. Check it out at: go.umd.edu/virtual

In October, the team will travel to Colorado for the competition. You can support reACT by becoming a member, donating materials, tools, and gifts, or partnering with the team through sponsorship.

To learn more about how to contribute, visit: go.umd.edu/react

April 7, 2017


Prev   Next

Current Headlines

MATRIX Lab Hires Assistant Director for Research Development

Reliability Engineering PhD Candidate Sami Wismer wins PSA 2025 Best Student Paper Award

State of Affairs: UMD Team Assesses Energy Efficiency of Maryland’s Capital

TPTPR Conference Showcased Cutting-Edge Research on Eco-Friendly Refrigerants

Fischell Institute Hosts Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary

Rudolph Awarded Women in Defense Scholarship

Edward Eisenstein Elected President of American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Why 'Thinking More' Isn't Always Making Generative AI Smarter

News Resources

Return to Newsroom

Search News

Archived News

Events Resources

Events Calendar