November 10, 2006

Solar House Celebrates 25 Years

  - from the Bulletin

NC State University's Solar House ppened in 1981. (Photo: submitted)

On Nov. 3, NC State's Solar House marked its 25th anniversary with a special ceremony that included addresses by U.S. Rep. Brad Miller and Dr. Louis Martin-Vega, dean of the College of Engineering.

The Solar House was dedicated and opened to the public in 1981. Part of the NC Solar Center, it is one of the most visible and visited solar buildings in the United States, drawing more than 250,000 people from around the world in the past two decades.

Solar House serves as the educational and demonstration showcase for solar and energy-efficient technologies at the NC Solar Center. A living laboratory for solar research, Solar House has been the focus of numerous graduate student theses and dissertations. The Solar House combines passive solar design, solar thermal and solar electric technologies to achieve dramatic energy savings, demonstrated by its annual $70 heating bill. The Solar House grounds also include demonstrations of other green building materials and techniques, a working wind turbine, a fuel cell and biodiesel production equipment.

Operated by the College of Engineering and funded in part by the State Energy Office of the N.C. Department of Administration, the NC Solar Center works to advance the use of renewable energy resources to ensure a sustainable economy that protects our natural environment, encourages energy independence, and lowers energy costs for consumers. The center provides technical support, K-12 education programs, training programs and policy support to citizens, businesses and policymakers.

The center has also been involved in dozens of technical research projects throughout the state, including photovoltaic projects at various high schools, Catawba College and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, solar thermal projects at Camp Lejeune and DOT rest areas, combined heat and power projects at Fort Bragg and wind projects at the NC Maritime Museum‚s Cape Lookout field station and for the National Park Service.

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