A Visit From Congresswoman Foxx!

Representative Virginia Foxx Visits the Homestead!








Yesterday June 29, Congresswomen Virginia Foxx paid the The Solar Homestead headquarters a visit! It was her wish to come and see how far along our team is with construction and to show her support as well as interest in our participation in the Solar Decathlon 2011.


During her visit, our team was able to provide Representative Foxx with a full guided tour as well as some presentations that displayed the steps that Appalachian State University has been taking to become a more energy efficient campus. Rep. Foxx, along with Sen. Kay Hagan, was instrumental in helping to return the Decathlon back to the National Mall earlier this year, and we are extremely grateful for her support. 

The Solar Homestead team would like to thank Representative Virginia Foxx for taking the time to visit our headquarters and for supporting our project!

Decathlete of the Week!

Mike Germano

Job title: Construction and Project Management team member

Joined team: January of 2011

How did you get involved? "I heard about it my sophomore year.  Then my teacher was talking about it because she was excited for it because she was part of Purdue's team a few years ago. I couldn't join for a while because I could not get out of work but I knew I just had to make time so I joined the team in January."

Best part of working on the Homestead? "Conquering sleep...haha... The whole project is fun because everyone is fun to hang out with and we are doing something to better society."

What do you like to do outside of the team? "Sleep and relax outdoors"



Would you rather be a pirate or a ninja?  "Definitely a pirate because they get to pillage the seas, drink rum, and have a great time sailing all day."

Would you rather play European football or American football; "European Football.. I played both in high school but I miss soccer more."

Rumor has it you have some kind of Christmas traditions? " H aha. Yeah I grow out my beard and dye it white and dressed up like Santa to go to school. It is a lot of fun!"

Mike has dedicated all his extra time outside of class and work to the Solar Homestead. He has been fantastic about setting the standard for commitment to the project. Thank you for working your pants off!

Design team Up-date

 GO TEAM GO!!!

The Solar Homestead team has been busy spreading their design expertise in all aspects of the project development.

The designers have constantly been updating as-built drawings as building of the Solar Homestead has progressed, while also working with the construction team to hash out construction details.

A few team member have been working closely with Philmark furniture company to make a couple of custom pieces that are designed to be reconfigurable. The reconfigurable nature of the furniture allows one piece to serve multiple purposes.

They have also been designing and ordering the kitchen, counter tops, and coordinating all of the finishing details to make this house a beautiful home.

And then, on top of it all, they have been instrumental in our nearly finalized exhibit materials and dinner menus.

The rest of the Solar Homestead team would like to thank for all of your hard work! You all have done such a great job.


-The rest of the Solar Homestead team :)

The Solar Homestead

Construction Update

The Solar Homestead crew has been very busy and hard at work since the end of spring semester, and with only three months to go until the competition; everyone is excited and continuing to do our best to get ready for the National Mall.

Joe Armstong and Dave Lee

We have seen some delays in our construction, but with many late nights, we have our house on an even better schedule! 

The construction team is now done drying-in the structure and we have only two more doors left to install!

We have been working simultaneously on plumbing, electrical and HVAC rough-ins. After inspections we will start weaving insulation between the staggered studs and working on finishing details.

Heather Kinsey - PV & Electrical Designer

The Solar Homestead's finished sections are being moved outside of the high bay and set up outside where we will level it out to set up the entire site.

John Arnaud and Trevor Hogan

Let us know what you think! Leave a comment and we can further our conversation. We would love to hear from you!

Also check back with us to hear about updates from the other Solar Homestead teams in our upcoming blogs!

-The Solar Homestead Team

Decathlete of the Week!

Heather Kinsey

 

Job title: PV + Electrical Designer 


Joined team: January 2010

 How did you get involved?: "I was in the senior architectural design studio and Dr. Russell and professor Everhart approached me and proposed I get involved with the Solar Homestead as the second semester portion of our studio."

Best part?: "The endless learning opportunities! I could not have imagined a project that embodies so many of the things that I have been exposed to in my college career that I now have the opportunity to practice. Practicing the design of a photovoltaic power system was definitely one of the best parts."

What do you like to do outside of the Team?: "I love to watch the rhododendron bloom." 

You would rather be a dog named killer or a cat named fluffy?: "I would rather be named a cat named fluffy because a positive attitude will get you a long way and you never know what to expect from a cat named fluffy, but honestly I would rather be a dog named fluffy."

Would you rather not be able to use your phone or your e-mail?: "These days phones are so fancy, email and phones are one in the same. Except my phone. So I'd give up email." 

What has been the most challenging part of this project?: "The most challenging part.... challenges don't seem so hard when you have such a great team on your side. This is not to say that there were no challenging parts but our team is so dynamic that there has always been a person of resource." 

The  Solar Homestead team would like to thank Heather for being such a dedicated member. She has been very reliable, being at the headquarters before the sun is up and also for taking the lead working with the university electricians.  Thanks again for all of your  hard work! Keep up the hard work and stealing hard hats ;)


-The Solar Homestead Team

Sponsor of the Month

              The Solar Homestead team would like to proudly recognize Deltec Homes as our sponsor of the month of June, 2011. Our student team and Deltec first met at the International Builders Show in Orlando Florida in January, 2011. With further conversation, Deltec CEO David Hall, and Director of Sustainability Technologies Steve Linton visited the Solar Homestead headquarters in Boone, NC and immediately became engaged in the project.

Deltec Homes is based in Asheville, North Carolina, and has been building homes for over 42 years. With their special, panelized construction technique, Deltech operates as one of the greenest home manufacturers in the world. Deltec's advanced construction process creates 87% less waste than the average home builder. Impressively, their production facility is completely powered by renewable energy, with 1/3 of that power coming from their roof: one of the largest solar arrays in North Carolina.

With their innovative construction process, transportation knowledge, and green initiatives, Deltec has brought many valuable additions to the Solar Homestead project and has helped keep our construction process on schedule. With their contribution of materials and labor, Deltec Homes has become a Kilowatt Level sponsor and is greatly appreciated by the entire team!

We would like to thank Deltec Homes for all of their support, and are very proud to have them as a part of the Solar Homestead 2011 project!!

Decathlete of the Week!

Craig Autry

Classification: Building Science, Senior

Job Title: Construction Team Member, specialization in plumbing installation

Joined team: January 2011

How did you get involved? "Ed Pavia talked to me in one of our classes and he encouraged me to join the team in January."

Best Part? "The experience! I have learned a lot about carpentry from working with the rest of the awesome construction team and I feel like I contribute knowledge about plumbing. So it is a win win!"

What do you like to do outside the team? "I really do like to work, but I also like to fish and hang out with my family and friends."

Favorite movie?: Scarface

Do you have a team nickname? K.O.E. of "King of England" "The first time I met Travis I broke the ice and said "king of England, nice to meet you."

We would like to thank Craig for all of his hard work, his dedication to plumbing rough-ins in our Flex-OM and putting in the extra effort when the team needed you. Thank you for being such a wonderful volunteer!

Decathlete of the Week!

Trevor Hogan

Classification: Architecture/Appropriate Technology Major, Undergraduate Senior

Job Title: Site Operations and Transportation Manager 

Joined the Team: January 2011

How did you get involved?

"I knew several people that were involved. They all had great things to say about it, so I decided to join."

The Best Part?

"Representing Appalachian State University. I look forward to showing off what we've been working on in a global competition."

Outside the Team?

"I like to go hiking, tubing, swimming, fishing and whatever else I can do outdoors."

Two Bucket List Items

1- Winning the competition

2- I would like to travel and see different types of buildings from around the world."

If you had one more day to live...

" I'd finish the OMs and spend the rest of the day out on the beach with an ice cold beverage."

Through his display of hard work and dedication, Trevor has been tasked with overseeing all aspects of the seven outbuilding modules. He will be assembling a team that will be in charge of constructing and transporting the OMs.

Congratulations Trevor! With your leadership and determination we know you will have our OMs completed and delivered as scheduled! 

Sponsor of the Month

Sponsor of the Month

                The Solar Homestead Team would like to recognize Lowe’s Home Improvement as our Sponsor of the Month for May 2011.  In the fall of 2010 Lowe’s and Appalachian State University shook hands to join together in representing the Solar Homestead project at the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011.  Lowe’s Companies Inc. and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation have contributed $350,000 to Appalachian State University’s Solar Decathlon 2011 project.  The donation includes tools, materials, and financial support needed to construct the Solar Homestead and has been a pivotal part of the projects operations.

                The Solar Homestead team has focused on gaining the support of North Carolina based companies for our project and Lowe’s couldn’t fit any better.  Founded in 1946, Lowe’s has grown from a small hardware store in North Carolina to the second largest home improvement retailer worldwide, and the 8th largest retailer in the United States.

                “For Lowe’s, education is the cornerstone to building bright futures and stronger communities,” said Larry D. Stone, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation and president and chief operating officer of Lowe’s Companies.  “The leadership demonstrated by the Appalachian team to educate its peers, lead the state and share with the world its solutions for sustainable living is truly commendable. Like the Solar Homestead team, Lowe’s is committed to helping today’s homeowners and future generations make their homes more energy efficient and sustainable.”

                Appalachian State and the Solar Homestead team would like to again thank Lowe’s Company for their tremendous support, and we are extremely proud to recognize them as our May 2011 Sponsor of the Month!

Decathlete of the Week!

Laura Clark

Classification: Construction Management, Undergraduate Senior

Job Title: Project Management Team
Joined the Team: January 2011


How did you get involved?
“Dave came and talked to my class about the project one day, and when I heard the news and saw the excitement of Appalachian State being accepted in the The Solar Decathlon 2011, I
just knew I had to be involved.”


The Best Part?
“I really like working with everyone else on the team and
getting real life experience from it.”

Outside the Team?
“I like to be in my hammock while reading a book, and do anything outdoors.”

Would you rather?
 Be a giant hamster or a tiny rhino? “Probably a tiny rhino because baby rhinos are SO CUTE! Oh, and I could run around and stab people in the ankles.”

Favorite Overlook?
“Wiseman’s View because at night mysterious lights flicker in the woods.”

The rest of The Solar Homestead team would like to congratulate and thank Laura for her hard work. Laura has volunteered her time to work all-nighters when needed, helping finish a new model and contribute to all of the teams on The Solar Homestead project in addition to her work on the Project Management team. Thank you Laura for being such a valuable member of our team!