The Swiss Team wins first place in 2017 Solar Decathlon Architecture and Water contests

The U.S. Department of Energy's 2017 Solar Decathlon has opened its doors to the public, and the anticipated results for the 10 different contests are rolling in. The biennial competition brings together passionate student teams across the U.S. and abroad who dedicate two years to building a full-scale, sustainably designed house. 

Teams work to achieve the highest overall score in 10 contests: Architecture, Market Potential, Engineering, Communications, Innovation, Health and Comfort, Appliances, Home Life, Level of energy produced vs. energy consumed, and the new Water contest. With each contest worth 100 points, the team who achieves the most out of 1,000 possible points wins the Decathlon.

Currently in first place overall, the Swiss Team — École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, the School of Engineering and Architecture Fribourg, Geneva University of Art and Design, and the University of Fribourg — scored a perfect 100 to win the Architecture Contest with their house, NeighborHub (pictured below).

Washington-St. Louis University and the University of Nevada Las Vegas tied for second place with 94 points, and Missouri S&T got third place with 85 points.

The Swiss Team also won the new Water contest with 95 points. The University of California, Davis won second place with 87 points, while Team Netherlands took third with 81 points. 

“The jurors noted that the [Swiss Team] had the most comprehensive and integrated management of water at Solar Decathlon 2017. The clearly calculated amount of actual water consumption is very low for this house. With a green roof, this house expertly integrates storm water into its design,” said Scott Morrissey, the Director of Sustainability at Denver International Airport, in a statement. “This house successfully uses kitchen water as part of a grey water system, sports an innovative composting toilet, and offers simplicity with a combined water and energy dashboard to help track usage.”

Current scores and standings can be viewed here. The overall winner of the Decathlon will be announced on October 14 at 9:30 a.m., Mountain Time.