UMD Returns to Solar Decathlon

UMD Solar Decathalon house construction with ENST Students Matt Lagomarsino and Emily Goo

Image Credit: Edwin Remsberg, University of Maryland

December 9, 2019 Maryland Today

The University of Maryland will once again chase solar victory next October at Solar Decathlon Middle East 2020 (SDME2020) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Maryland is the only team representing the United States in the competition, and will go head-to-head against 19 other collegiate teams from around the world to create a high-performance, affordable, net-positive home powered entirely by the sun.

An informational kickoff meeting will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. tonight in the Architecture Building auditorium for students and faculty from all disciplines who are interested in joining the 2020 Solar Decathlon Team.

Maryland’s SDME 2020 team is a partnership between the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, the A. James Clark School of Engineering, University Libraries, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Education and Facilities Management's Department of Engineering & Energy. To learn more about becoming a part of the team, visit go.umd.edu/sdme2020.

In 2017, AGNR students from the Department of Environmental Science and Technology and Plant Science and Landscape Architecture participated. ENST students, Emily Goo and Matt Lagomarsino were subteam leaders in charge of water systems and living systems for the reACT house. Both students' contributions were very innovative. The house featured a hydroponic wall in the kitchen to grow herbs and edible greens. They also developed an intricate composting system, including a composting toilet to repurpose as much waste as possible and conserve additional water.  

Matt Lagomarsino said, “The collaboration is inspiring, working with people from all walks of life and volunteers that are here out of nothing but commitment to a good cause. I have learned so much.”    

Read more in Maryland Today.