looking to keep track of team tennessee’s living light?

for access to the entire archive of the university of tennessee’s solar decathlon 2011 videos: visit the member page

looking to keep track of the living light team?

for access to the entire archive of the university of tennessee’s solar decathlon 2011 videos: visit the member page

the home generates its power from a 10.9 kw solar array composed of cylindrically shaped pv modules. they act as a passive tracking system capturing sunlight from all directions, including light reflected up from the white roof. this results in more power generation throughout the day than fixed flat plate collectors. they are lightweight, offer reduced installation costs, and have proven reliable. the panels also hang over the south façade to provide shading in the summer.

for complete shading control, the touchpad interface operates the blinds within the facade to reduce, or enhance, solar heat gains, reducing the annual cooling energy by nearly 50%.

the double glass façade solves the design challenge of maximizing transparency, views, and natural lighting without compromising the thermal envelope. it consists of an inner, insulating, double pane window separated by multiple mylar films. a second glass pane is spaced 15 inches from the interior window creating a ventilated air cavity. this design improves thermal comfort, reduces drafts and infiltration, and reduces noise compared to the average window. the ventilation system uses the façade’s air cavity to enhance the thermal performance of the house. in the summer, fresh air is brought into the home on a prescribed cycle through the north window cavity. this air exchanges heat in an energy recovery ventilator and exhausts stale air through the southern windows, cooling the cavity, and reducing thermal heat gains. the system is reversed in the winter preheating air from the south façade and exhausting stale air out through the north façade, warming the cavity to buffer heat losses. after modeling this system, we concluded that the ventilated facade should effectively accomplish all of our heating and cooling needs for the year without using any energy produced by our solar array. this means the power generated by the living light house will only service our lighting and appliances, which it truly exciting.

overall, by using reliable, proven, commercially available technologies the living light house is predicted to use about 6,700 kwh/yr which is less than half the energy consumed by a standard home of similar size in the tennessee climate.

the living light home is a truly innovative feat that combines modern technology and sleek aesthetics to set an example for energy conscious living in tennessee and beyond.

looking to keep track of team living light?

for access to the entire archive of the university of tennessee’s solar decathlon 2011 videos: visit the member page

through our analysis we have developed a four-part hierarchy for integrating passive and active systems:
1. basic building design (siting, orientation, massing, and space planning)
2. passive design (daylighting, natural ventilation, cooling, and heat gain)
3. high performance building (efficient hvac, active envelope, building sensoring)
4. green power (decentralized and grid-tied systems of solar, wind, etc.)

our intent is to define the appropriate level of design–to begin with simple strategies and add complexity as necessary.

like the cantilever barn, the floor plan is organized around two wooden cores that are pushed to the extents of the space. the utility core houses the engineered systems and most kitchen appliances. an island provides additional kitchen preparation space and dining for two. the opposite core contains the more private elements of the bed and bath. the bed tucks neatly behind the cabinetry, allowing the occupant to fully utilize the space for the entertainment system and storage. the dark toned materials of the core frame the light wood tones of the interior and exterior living spaces. the use of modular furniture in the open space allows the home to transform to various needs, while opening it up to exterior views and maximizing day lighting capabilities. the living light house uses glass for transparency, day lighting, and views to the surrounding environment.

looking to keep track of team tennessee?

for access to the entire archive of living light’s solar decathlon 2011 videos: visit the member page

visit the solar decathlon category page!

looking to keep track of team tennessee?

for access to the entire archive of living light’s solar decathlon 2011 videos: visit the member page