timeline & accomplishments
November 2005
The remaining members of the previous Cornell Solar Decathlon team and a handful of new students write a successful proposal for entry into the 2007 Solar Decathlon.
January 2006
Cornell is accepted in the 2007 Solar Decathlon. The core team of 19 students recruits over 100 students from across Cornell to join the team and begin the design process.
February 2006
The Long-Term Research team is formed to incorporate new and developing technologies into future design processes. The team is awarded a $10,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to research residential-scale solar thermal electricity production and climate control.
March 2006
The team holds a design charette and boils down months of ideas to two possible house designs.
April 2006
Cornell’s second-place, 2005 Solar Decathlon house is auctioned off on Cornell’s Agriculture Quad to one of the team’s biggest supporters, an alumnus and trustee of the university. The home is sited in Ithaca, N.Y. overlooking Cayuga Lake.
May 2006
The final architecture review takes place, and one of the designs produced by the collaborative architecture studio is chosen.
June–August 2006
Ten student team members are paid to intern for the summer. They finalize the design of the house and produce design development drawings.
September–October 2006
Construction begins at Cornell’s High Voltage Lab (HVL). Students receive training on safety (power tools) and construction techniques. Students paint, assemble, and crib up the house’s steel understructure.
November 2006
The engineering design review is performed; systems are not finalized. Meanwhile, a mock-up of the mechanical closet is constructed. The structural insulated panels (SIPs) that comprise the floor of the house arrive and the floor is assembled
December 2006
Cornell final examinations slow construction progress.
January 2007
Wall and roof SIPs arrive; the entire structure is assembled within two weeks. Air and vapor barriers are installed.
February 2007
Windows, doors, floor drywall, NanaWalls®, and Tate® Access Floor panels are installed.
March–May 2007
Construction proceeds on mechanical closet, floor, and interior framing.
June–July 2007
Light Canopy, photovoltaic (PV), and solar thermal arrays are assembled for the first time. Greenscreens® are planted. Sunroom is constructed and installed. All plumbing and HVAC systems are finished. Electrical wiring and closet containing the electrical components are begun.
August 2007
Final reports and drawings are delivered.
September 2007
The house is completed.
