Homepage > City Services > Solar DecathlonE-mail storyPrint friendly format
Solar Decathlon 2015 returns to the Orange County Great Park
 
Solar Decathlon 2015 returns to the Orange County Great Park
Some 64,000 visitors experienced the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 and XPO, held over eight days in October at the Orange County Great Park. And now, those visitors and more will be able to return, as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Irvine City Council have agreed to a return competition, October 8-11 and October 15-18, 2015 at the Orange County Great Park. The city-owned Great Park is the centerpiece of the approximately 1,300-acre, publically owned portion of the former Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro.
 
The ability to use the Great Park as an incubator for environmental sustainability is nowhere more evident than being the host site for the biannual U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. The 2013 event was held for the first time outside of Washington D.C., as the City of Irvine won the application process over more than 20 other major U.S. cities.
 
University teams from around the world designed and built 19 solar houses that were set up along the former base's runways that promoted energy efficiency and the use of student-designed and newly invented energy-efficient products as well as recyclable materials. The Solar Decathlon was a perfect match for promoting energy-efficient living.
 
The impressions from the next event likely will influence homebuilders, who will be further influenced by consumer interest, education and demand promoted through the Solar Decathlon 2015. The City of Irvine, and the destination location Orange County Great Park, will be proud hosts once again, providing continued support to the endeavors of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
 
Full documentary from 2013 event
 
For all ICTV programming from 2013
 
Watch ICTV interview with Solar Decathlon’s Richard King
 
     

Irvine, Defined

The City’s white papers provide insight into Irvine, the Orange County Great Park, cultural diversity, green city, education, open space, and safe community.

 

Orange County Great Park

The Great Park in Irvine, CA is being developed and more than 200 acres have already been activated. Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world visit each year, where the sun shines and the park grows.