The biennial U.S. Dept. of Energy Solar Decathlon takes place outside of Washington, D.C., for the first time in its 12- year history. The 2013 Solar Decathlon is being held in Orange County-Southern California!

Twenty collegiate teams are participating in the 2013 Solar Decathlon to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.
A team from New Jersey, the Stevens Institute of Technology, is competing, this year.

The event will take place Oct. 3–13, 2013, at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, CA. The competition houses will be open to visitors on eight days over two weekends, Oct. 3–6, 2013 and Oct. 10–13, 2013.

If you would like more information about the US DOE Solar Decathlon, visit www.solardecathlon.gov.
For info about the OC Great Park, 1,300 acres located on the former El Toro Marine Corps Base, visit www.ocgp.org.
Travel and tourism to the OC is also available on the web at many sites or visit www.visitcalifornia.com.