Solar Decathlon Houses
Self-Reliance and InSite were both the results of Middlebury College students participating in the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Decathlon, in which 20 teams of college and university students compete to design, build and operate the most affordable, attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house.
About the Entries
Self-Reliance, the 2011 entry, is designed to blend Vermont architectural tradition with a high level of energy efficiency and a construction scheme that features environmentally friendly materials. With a footprint of about 990 sq. ft., Self-Reliance features staggered-stud exterior walls whose 11-in.-thick cavities are filled with cellulose insulation, bringing their thermal resistance to R-42.
InSite, the 2013 entry, features a “solar path” entry of photovoltaic panels and a lush green roof, which manages water runoff and contributes to the thermal envelope of the house. A north-sloping roof minimizes exposure to Vermont’s cold Northern winter winds, and a building-monitoring system that allows residents to visualize their energy use and better understand the environmental impacts of their lifestyle.
Apply to Live in Self-Reliance or InSite
Learn more about living on campus in one of the Solar Decathlon houses! Each year, groups of 2 students (InSite) or 3 students (Self-Reliance) live in the Solar Decathlon houses, learn about sustainable living, and share their knowledge with the greater Middlebury community. Leadership, scholarship, and outreach are central to the mission.