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WVU To Compete in 2015 Solar Home-Building Competition

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West Virginia University is teaming up once again with the University of Rome Tor Vergata for this year’s 2015 Solar Decathlon home-building competition.

The team is tasked with designing, building and operating an energy-efficient, solar-powered house. The winning entry must produce as much or more energy than it consumes, and must be attractive and environmentally friendly.

WVU also partnered with the Italian university in their debut at the competition two years ago. Their 2013 log cabin placed last in the competition, but this year their project will incorporate both Italian and Appalachian design concepts.

The almost 50-person team is led by engineering students, but also includes contributions from design and creative arts majors.

The students have six weeks to build their home and ship it to Irvine, California, where it will be judged along with 15 other entries in early October.