Illinois Solar Decathlon

Illinois Solar Decathlon (ISD) is an interdisciplinary organization based in the Champaign-Urbana, IL and is the official Solar Decathlon team for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is also closely affiliated with the Illinois School of Architecture.

Illinois Solar Decathlon was formed in 2007 after the University's involvement in three past Solar Decathlon competitions. Starting in 2002, the US Department of Energy sponsors a biannual competition where twenty Universities from around the world design and construct an innovative and efficient net-zero home. They are transported to a central location and over the course of a week the homes are judged in ten different criteria including energy balance, architecture, communications, and market appeal to name a few. With ISD's increasing involvement in the Solar Decathlon's competition, Europe began having their own Solar Decathlon competitions in 2007, with China joining in a few years later in 2013.

The RSO works to recruit future team members, maintain sponsor relations, and help maintain the three past homes that are near campus. ISD also aims to educate the campus and community about the importance of sustainable energy efficient homes and hope to provide a strong foundation for future Illinois Decathlon teams. ISD has focused on interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration, with students in architecture, engineering and like disciplines working together on various projects. ISD is constantly searching for new members and there are many opportunities for involvement including working on past homes, marketing efforts, or even being part of the next design team.

The Solar Decathlon competitions are intended to be a “research goal of reducing the cost of solar-powered homes and advancing solar technology,” according to the Solar Decathlon 2007 (SD07). Illinois Solar Decathlon began its involvement with the Solar Decathlon competitions in the 2007 competition.

The 2007 Solar Decathlon Competition is the third competition held and the first time the University of Illinois competed in.

The concept for the University of Illinois' Solar Decathlon Team's 2007 house is a flexible modular system that can provide utility-independent housing for temporary or seasonal use. Beyond the goal of winning the competition, Illinois hopes that its final product can serve as a model for emergency housing situations such as those experienced by citizens of the Gulf Coast as a result of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.