LIVE Challenges
Sustainable Solar Building Design
Questions? Please contact Jenny Brinker:
Email: jenny.brinker@nwtc.edu
Phone: 920-498-7100
TRADES & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES
Student capacity: 24 students; can work alone, or in groups up to four students
In groups of 1-3 students, design and model home with the goal of maximizing the model home’s energy efficiency
and solar energy production. Students will use a free, downloadable ENERGY 3D software tool to design a home with
a low energy footprint. ENERGY 3D provides options for optimizing building characteristics such as infiltration,
insulation, window location, awning and tree shading, and accommodates the use of solar photovoltaic (electric)
systems. The Tech Challenge competition will be organized so that students will have time to learn about the ENERGY
3D software and create a building design. Models will be judged based on annual energy use, design, and cost.
Here is a summary of the judging criteria. A more descriptive set of instructions is provided before the competition.
Criteria
Design components
Annual energy use
Poor
Commendable
Missing one or more
of the home design
requirements
1 Point All home design
requirements are present All home design requirements are
present in a well-organized design
2 Points 3 Points
Energy use is more
than 22kWh/ft 2
(237 kWh/m 3 ) Energy use is less than
22kWh/ft 2
(237 kWh/m 3 ), but greater
than a Zero Net Energy
home
3 Points
Solar contribution to the
home’s energy production is
minimal. Solar panels could
have better placement for
solar production and/or
aesthetics.
3 Points
0 Points
Missing solar
installation.
Solar component
0 Points
Realistic, livable an