Idealism barely begins to describe the fervent energy that underlies the Santa Clara University Solar Decathlon team spirit.

Santa Clara University was the 21st school picked for the Solar Decathlon competition and entered only after another school dropped out. We have the smallest school of engineering among all of the competitors, we do not have a school of architecture, and we have the furthest land distance to travel of any team. Despite numerous obstacles, we have consistently demonstrated the dedication, purpose, and idealism that have led us to embody the Silicon Valley virtue of innovative problem solving. Our boundless idealism - practical idealism, we call it - is driving our "design with purpose" mentality in the construction of our home and many other aspects of the competition, including outreach and community partnerships. We may be a small group of students, but we hope to inspire and educate our peers, our community, our business and government leaders, and our world about the exciting possibilities for sustainable living.

Education, Communication, and Innovation

In order to achieve our goal of making as a large an impact as possible through our talents and ideals, we decided to focus our energy on education, communication and innovation. With these three tools in our back pocket, we have the means to spread sustainable awareness and make real change.

Though building a completely solar powered home is a challenging task for full-time students, we decided to further impact on our local community through education. Our outreach project, the 2007 Sustainability Decathlon (click to learn more), helped transform high school students into environmental leaders and active, engaged learners, who then taught middle and elementary school students, parents, and teachers.

Through our communication with local media, we have amplified our voice and spread information about our project to an even larger group of potential "sustainablists." Because of the attention we have received, we have been asked to help local politicians and the Silicon Valley area schools. We have even worked on the concept of a Solar Center of Excellence in collaboration with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. The Solar Decathlon has given us an immense opportunity to learn, act, and live in a new way and we feel that it is important to share our knowledge and enthusiasm with the local and global community.

Fueled by a strong School of Engineering, the Santa Clara University team enters the competition rich with innovation and new technologies. We hope to bring to the National Mall one of the most dynamic buildings, complete revolutionary bamboo I-beams, responsive control systems, and many other SCU and Silicon Valley engineering surprises. Our journey started many months ago. Originally, our team worked in collaboration with California Polytechnic State University on architectural design. When CalPoly was unable to continue working with us, we found mentors and students willing to develop an architectural drawing set. One entire year was dedicated toward research and learning about sustainable design and construction. Architecture was redesigned half a dozen times and materials were scrupulously picked. Fundraising was very successful and the team generated nearly a million dollars in support from alumni and corporate sponsors. Despite a late entry into the competition, we pride ourselves on our timely delivery of dated materials and on the professional attitude we assume at all times, one which is on a caliber worthy of this monumental project.

Construction is well under way. We are on schedule for the competition. We are prepared and excited to represent the West Coast on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

Our house represents the renewable spirit of a group of college students trying to reshape the world.

We recognize that we are tackling one of the greatest scientific and social challenges the world has ever known. We are proud to be part of this great endeavor and excited to partner with other dedicated schools and sponsors at this prestigious event.