solar decathlon anyone?

[ffvben]

Oct. 12-20 2007 Washington DC. I've seen it on "this old house" show and its just over an hour for me to get there. I'm going to check out the solar villages , the houses are all green solar/wind/hydro/geo... It looks like it gets bigger every 2yrs.http://www.solardecathlon.org/

[GasSavers_StanleyD]

Originally Posted by ffvben

Oct. 12-20 2007 Washington DC. I've seen it on "this old house" show and its just over an hour for me to get there. I'm going to check out the solar villages , the houses are all green solar/wind/hydro/geo... It looks like it gets bigger every 2yrs.http://www.solardecathlon.org/

Is this a free event? Have you ever been to one of these? Any issues with parking ect. I wouldnt mind checking this out myself. Its a few hours drive for me but I think it would be worthit for the eductaional experience alone. I could cruise down there at 55mph and get back to NY in less than one tank of gas.
I would love to go there and check out the houses. I could probably learn a lot from them and try to implement some of the ideas where I live. Hopefully I can get a lot of contacts for programs or very cost effective solar solutions. I would have a ton of solar panels where I live now but solar panels are a ton of money right now. I can wait until they start mass producing and mass-SELLING solar equipment so the competition can increase and prices can go down, just as they did with LCDs and plasmas. I remember when a 50" plasma was $20,000. Wasnt that long ago.

[ffvben]

its a free event, I've never been to one yet, and the parking... you might have to walk a bit because of the constant tourist area and the addition of the event itself. its right in the mall (grass) area in between the Washington monument and the capital i think, the other side of the grass is the ww2 memorial with the reflection lake shining on Lincolns memorial.

I think the coolest thing is that all of these houses are not plugged in. they even have electric cars running around too.

[GasSavers_Scott]

Hi, this is Scott, the Solstice guy and I plan on going to the Decathalon either Sat. or Sun. I drive to D.C every week from Baltimore, parking around the Capitol is few if any spot available, west of the capitol is Union Station, that's $18 for all day. If you don't want to get caught in the down town D.C. traffic, you can park at the Green Belt MARC station outside of D.C off the 95/495 North split, that is also 16 to $18 dailey. A block or two outside the Capitola area, there are allot of independant garages like Central Parking Systems, they are $16 a day, I'm pretty sure.

I use Mapquest, bring a road atlas to get to D.C., its vey easy to get lost in the city. New York Ave. is what most commuters take to get into the city, its slow with non sequenced lights, photo intersections and photo speed zones.

I'll have to check and see what day, Ill try to get my cousin to join, she would like that. Not only am I interested in mpg, but I also plan on putting solar on the house and geotherm in the yard for heating and cooling. My Fiance is just like me when it comes to Green stuff and she's pumped about going too.

[ffvben]

ill probably go Mon or Tues. parking at union station and using the 2nd day pass for the tour-buss that you can use all day. I passed a house in Salisbury MD didn't notice it before but it was loaded with solar panels, I might have to look in to them more too. I'll take some pics but the camera is starting to go goofy, the pics might have extra colors on them.

[GasSavers_Scott]

I'll be going Saturday the 13th around noon, I make some sort of Gassavers.org button to wear on a lanyard. I'll also be wearing a goofy straw golfing had to keep the sun from baking my brain.

[GasSavers_Scott]

Im sorry, but due to an unforseen family event, I will have to reschedule to Sunday for the Solar Decathalon.

[ffvben]

might want to get a solar hat, its dam chilly now.