Success is getting what you want; happiness is liking what you get

Tuesday 17 May 2011

Kiwi Bach in Solar Decathlon Competition

What is a Solar Decathlon, you may well ask?  It is a competition run by the US Department of Energy and university teams throughout the world are invited to design and build energy efficient houses powered exclusively by the sun. The Victoria University team from Wellington is the first ever finalist from the Southern Hemisphere.  The team designed and built the Meridian First Light house, a reinvention of the iconic Kiwi bach (pronounced batch) powered entirely by solar energy. The bach is a casual dwelling usually built at the beach and used for holidays and weekends mainly in the summer.  The house is currently sited in Frank Kitt’s Park on the Wellington Waterfront, and we joined the crowds for a guided tour.
DSCF6228 The solar powered Kiwi Bach
We were led in groups through the house and all the various aspects were explained.  The competition is judged on ten points, architecture, market appeal, engineering, communications, affordability, comfort, hot water, appliances, home entertainment and energy balance.  Led  by students from Victoria University's School of Architecture, the team is made up of students right across the University.  The students were supervised by University staff, and industry partners have donated their time and expertise to the project.
DSCF6231  Our tour guide talking about the project in the front entrance
DSCF6232 Sitting room with extra bunk bed or storage behind sliding doors
DSCF6235Master bedroom
DSCF6238Small kitchen area
The house has 28 solar panels that provides power to run the house throughout all the seasons.  An innovative drying cupboard was developed for the house, using energy from the solar heated water which is pumped through a heat exchanger, and a heat pump warms and cools the house as required.  The concrete slab floor stores heat during the day and releases it at night, and the house uses wool insulation in the walls.  Add triple glazing to the mix, and this timber house is as attractive as it is eco-friendly. We found it surprisingly warm on a cold afternoon even with all the doors and windows open for the tour.
DSCF6239   Oops, all the wiring is not quite finished yet
Teams from New Zealand, China, Belgium, Canada and USA have spent two years creating their solar powered houses for the competition.  New Zealand’s entry will be exhibited with the other finalists in West Potomac Park, Washington DC.  We certainly wish them luck.
DSCF6241 Landscaping outside

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