Wish 'Good Luck' to the Solar Decathlon Team Friday

Ohio State is going to the nation's capital, and they're taking a house with them. The house — designed and built by a team of 60 Ohio State students — is the university’s first solar house.

The campus community will gather for a “solar sendoff” to wish the team good luck before it departs for the national Solar Decathlon contest in Washington, D.C.

The students hope to successfully represent Ohio State with their innovative and energy efficient house as it competes against solar houses from 20 universities, including two Big Ten schools.

The solar sendoff takes place at 2 p.m. on Friday (9/25) at the build site, 1960 Tuttle Park Place, east of the south end of Ohio Stadium. The event includes a brass band and remarks by President E. Gordon Gee.

In order to move the house to Washington, it will be taken apart, shrink-wrapped and hauled on the three trailers it was built on. It will be reassembled in a solar village on the National Mall for the competition. During the contest, students must host two dinner parties for eight, entertain with a movie night, take hot showers and do many loads of laundry — using solar energy. The contest takes place Oct. 9-18, and the house will be open for public tours each day except Oct. 14.

WHAT: Solar sendoff to wish Solar Decathlon team good luck before solar house departs for national competition in Washington, D.C.

WHEN: 2 p.m. on Friday (9/25)

WHERE: Solar Decathlon build site, 1960 Tuttle Park Place (east of the south end of Ohio Stadium)

Follow the team blog as the students make their final preparations!