Once upon a time, a formidable international collaboration was born between America & Europe.
One fine day at the turn of this millennium, Richard King, a scientist with the U.S. Department of Energy, imagined a world where architects & engineers would be our best ambassadors in innovation and sustainability. He believed that they could help lead the way toward conscientious and long-lasting responses to how we live in our homes, habitats and communities. Richard foresaw our roles in creating accessible clean-energy solutions for us on this planet.
The Solar Decathlon (SD) was launched in 2002 challenging university Teams to design, build and operate highly efficient and innovative buildings powered by renewable energy. By generating widespread media coverage to reach millions of people, SD generated parallel power in educating the public on the benefits, affordability & availability of energy-efficient living scenarios. The first SD edition welcomed over 200,000 visitors on the nation’s stage, the National Mall, in Washington D.C.
The next SD competition in 2005 was equally successful. This event included the first international Teams from Canada and Spain. 2007 & 2009 saw even more international participation; Germany was represented by TU Darmstadt, winning both times among Teams from the U.S., Canada and Spain. The SD 2011 saw record international participation with Teams from Belgium, Canada, China and New Zealand. Gaining momentum for sure!
Continued European interest and involvement led to a 2008 Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Spain. Spanish governmental officials signed to host the Solar Decathlon Europe, first Solar Decathlon beyond American soil. In the summer of 2010, Madrid hoted the most international event to that date, with Teams coming from eight countries. After European ‘wins’ in the 2007 & 2009 U.S. SD editions, the U.S. won the inaugural SDE10 Madrid edition, creating the climate of energetic exchange and shared knowlege for an international Solar Decathlon community on the go.
The SDE success in Spain led to a renewed MOU and a second SDE in 2012 in Madrid. The European movement has gained traction ever since. In 2012, the French governemt signed with the U.S. Department of Energy to host the SDE14. Versailles, site of peace treaties at the end of World War 1, was chosen as the site for the ‘La Cité du Soleil’. The Speed Peer Review Bonanza kicked off the Competition, which showcased highly ambitious Demonstration Units and consolidated Teams’ abilities to spread the word on resource optimisation.
Entrusted by the U.S. Department of Energy to stimulate the continuity of the Solar Decathlon competition in Europe, the Netherlands-based non-profit Energy Endeavour Foundation (EEF) was established in 2016. The EEF’s stewardship has resulted in two successful SDE competitions: the SDE19 took place in Szentendre, Hungary, the first city and country in central Europe to host an SDE event. Wuppertal, Germany followed as host of the spectacular SDE21/22.
International in fact and in spirit, the European version of the SD competition has propelled former SDE Organisers and Teams to be key players in maintaining the long-term momentum and vitality of the Solar Decathlon Europe. This mandate is being driven by the Energy Endeavour Foundation in close collaboration with the SDE Council of Experts (SDE Council of Experts). Stay tuned for the upcoming Call for Cities for the SDE25! Where to next?
Find a close-up on the evolution of the SDE Competition through its history here: https://solardecathlon.eu/sde-editions/