Designed to operate in all kinds of climates, this Thermomax Mazdon® 20 evacuated heat-pipe solar collector array provides hot water for a farm home in Vermont. The evacuated glass tubes each hold a small-diameter copper pipe containing a minute amount of water that is superheated by the sun. Heat exchangers at the top transfer the heat energy to pipes containing an antifreeze solution, which is routed to the basement of the house. There the heat is transferred to water using copper coil heat exchangers inside two large hot water storage tanks.

Courtesy of DOE/NREL
Credit: Alan Ford

A 1 kW PV thin film PV system on a tracking system and a 17.2 kW PV system on the roof offset some of the power of the Cambria Office Building. The designers of this highly energy-efficient office building worked to fit the building into this environment with as little impact on the surroundings as possible, and they took the greater environment into consideration in choices they made about building materials and buildings systems. By applying a concept called integrated design, they were able to evaluate and minimize energy use and pollution created in the production of the materials they used, and reduce the energy use and pollution the Cambria building will create throughout its lifetime.

Courtesy of DOE/NREL
Credit: Williamson, Robb

The exterior of Cal Poly's home shows the large deck and the overhang installed over the south-facing windows and doors.

Solar Decathlon 2005; http://www.eere.energy.gov/solar_decathlon/; September 29 - October 16; The Solar Decathlon is a competition in which teams of college and university students compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The Solar Decathlon is also an event to which the public is invited to observe the powerful combination of solar energy, energy efficiency, and the best in home design.

Courtesy of DOE/NREL
Credit: Gunn, Chris

NREL's 2005 Habitat for Humanity house

This home is super insulated, very tightly constructed and designed for passive solar gain to reduce heating loads to a small fraction of the requirements of an average Denver home. A heat recovery ventilation system will assure indoor air quality while recovering ventilation air thermal energy. A highly efficient, greatly downsized heating system will meet the remaining space heating needs. The home is equipped with a solar water heating system and a substantial PV array. The PV array will be grid connected and sized to produce excess energy in the summer to balance out the excess consumption in the winter leading to net zero energy consumption.

Courtesy of DOE/NREL
Credit: Glickson, Amy - Pixl Studio

The 2005 American Solar Challenge (ASC) was a cross-country solar car race that was held from July 17 to 27, 2005. The Race ran from Chicago, Illinois, to Claremont, California along old Route 66. Teams faced varied climates, topography and road conditions. Day 4

University of Minnesota leads the way of the 2005 North American Solar Challenge through its home state passing by Lake Benton, Minnesota, also known as the "Original Wind Power Capital of the Midwest ". Some of the 200 wind turbines that provide power for the surrounding are grace the skyline along the Buffalo Ridge, bringing clean, renewable energy to the forefront.

Courtesy of DOE/NREL
Credit: Paltera, Stefano

The redesign of an existing research laboratory adopted a Whole Building Design approach and applied strategies such as natural daylighting, solar water heating, liquid desiccant dehumidification, occupancy sensors, and a new building management
system.

Courtesy of DOE/NREL
Credit: NOAA/Ferrard Choi and Associates, LTD