"How would you use the Flex OM" Voting Results!

Thank you to our readers that voted on our latest poll! The results showed that 45 percent would choose to use the Flex OM as an Art Studio, 40 percent would use it as a Home Office, and 20 percent as a Guest Suite. Be sure to check back soon for more Solar Homestead polls. Again, thanks for your support!

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-The Solar Homestead Team

About the Solar Homestead

Get to know the project and the team! Leave a comment and let us know what you think! 

Meet the Decathlete of the Week!

joe armstrong.

Classification: Senior Undergraduate Appropriate Technology Major

Job Title: Project Management and Construction Team Member

Joined the Team: January 2011

How did you get involved?

"I got involved with the team because I heard about it and wanted to know what was going on. Also, I thought it’d be a fun project. It's my lifelong dream to build a house and finally after 4 years of college, I would be able to go out and build one. I’ve worked construction before, but I’ve never actually worked from start to finish on a house. "

The Best Part?

"I enjoy being able to come to the headquarters and build a house that could change the way houses are being built in the future."

Outside of the Team:

When he's not working at the Headquarters, Joe enjoys hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, playing guitar, and sleeping.

Beverage of Choice: 

"Mountain Dew" (as he holds one)

Random Question of the Day:

Would you rather eat pizza or ice cream off the sidewalk?

"Pizza. You can pick off what’s dirty. Plus, the best pizzas are made on stone."

Joe was nominated as the Decathlete of the Week because of his extra mile quality.  In his first semester he has taken a lot of initiative and shown strong leadership qualities amongst his team members. Armstrong embodies hard work, dedication, and determination.

Buildipedia Partnership at Work

The Solar Homestead is proud to announce their recent partnership with Buildipedia.com.   

        In February Buildipedia visited The Solar Homestead headquarters in Boone, NC to document and film the teams daily operations and discussions for the future of residential design and construction.      

       Buildipedia is an online destination delivering the most accurate and relevant information regarding design and construction. Their operations include editorials, marketing, sales, web and video production. 

    “This [Buildipedia] will be a great avenue to show off the latest Solar Homestead technology,” said Dave Lee, Communications Manager for The Solar Homestead.

To take a look at Buildipedia's footage of the day click HERE!

    

We're Back on the National Mall!

The DOE released a decision today that put the Solar Decathlon back on the National Mall! The competition will take place in West Potomac Park along the path between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. The Solar Homestead Team would like to thank all of our supporters for helping return the competition to the nation's front lawn. We are ecstatic that the decathlon has been returned to a place of national progression and prestige. We hope to see you in September on the National Mall!

For more information concerning the DOE's announcement click HERE!

View the newest Solar Homestead Video!

Watch our newest video and see what YOU can do to help Appalachian win!

Opinions Surround the National Mall Usage

The decathlete's struggle to return the Solar Decathlon to the National Mall continues. Although the support to return the competition to the Mall is constantly increasing among teams, universities, and senators; the National Park Service is still opposed. 

An editorial published in the Washington Post argued for the removal of the competition stating that the Mall has undergone "neglect and overuse". The Post opinion article pointed out physical damages that the competition had done to the Mall in previous years and the importance of restoring the space. 

Thankfully, the public responded with Letters to the Editor concerning the original editorial. 

"Spotty grass is a sign of engagement, not shame," said Ryan Montgomery of Washington in his Letter to the Editor. Another letter highlighted our president's words concerning national progress.

"The president could not have been clearer when he said, 'The first step in winning the future is encouraging American innovation.' There is no finer example of this than the Solar Decathlon," said Alan Abrams of Washington in his letter. In these letters, the value of community involvement, creativity, and innovation are restored. 

Link to Letters to the Editor

It's YOUR National Mall, would you rather have a manicured lawn or a landmark of American involvement? 

Meet the Decathlete of the Week!

janelle wienke.

Classification: Senior Undergraduate Anthropology Major, concentration in Sustainable Development
Job Title: Outreach Coordinator 
Joined the Team: August 2010
From sending contact emails to planning Boone Green Drinks at the Headquarters, Janelle helps to coordinate events for the Solar Homestead Team. 

The Best Part? 
"I enjoy being a member of the Solar Homestead Team because I get to be a part of such a prestigious and  large project. The experience has enabled me to get hands-on experience and expand my education within the field."
Outside of the Team: 
"I don't have hobbies. The Solar Homestead is my hobby."
With the little free time Janelle has, she likes to hike, cook, and do crafts.
Beverage of Choice: Black Coffee
Random Question of the Day: 
Would you rather have x-ray vision or bionic hearing? 
Definitely, bionic hearing. 


The Solar Homestead team is proud to feature Janelle Wienke as the decathlete of the week due to her outstanding involvement with planning the Boone Green Drinks event. Janelle coordinated with local businesses and helped organize donations to support the night's activities. 


A big thank you also goes out to: Art of Oil, Lowe's Foods, Harris Teeter, Panera, Bald Guy Brew, Pepper's Restaurant, Stick Boy Bakery, Ingles, and Mountain Lumber for their contributions to the evening's event! 

Thanks to everyone that attended! 

Senators Support Decathlete's Movement

The effort to return the Solar Decathlon to the National Mall continues to move forward. Twelve U.S. Senators, including NC Senator Kay Hagan, have shown their support of the movement by signing a letter asking the Secretaries of the Interior and Energy to reinstate the competition on the National Mall.
We would like to thank our Senators for supporting the competition and standing behind the decathletes. In order to support the National Mall as the location of the competition, please consider signing the petition and sending letters to Congress! 


Sign the Petition! 
View the Senator's Letter!

Meet the Decathlete of the Week!

chelsea royall.

Classification: Graduate Student, Masters of Science and Technology, concentration in Building Science

Job Title: Design Director

Joined the Team: January 2010

Within ASU’s Solar Decathlon Team, Chelsea works with interior, textile, and architectural decisions.

The Best Part?

“I enjoy being able to watch the process happen and seeing design concepts become real.”

Outside of the Team:

When she’s not working at the Solar Homestead Headquarters, Chelsea enjoys cooking (chicken pot pie & cookies), quilting, hiking, and just being outdoors. 

Favorite Cereal: Blueberry Morning

Random Question of the Day:

Would you rather work at Nickelodeon Corporations or Disney Corporations? 

Nickelodeon Corporations. 

We're proud to feature Chelsea Royall as our Decathlete of the Week. Stay tuned each week to learn more about the Solar Homestead Team Members!