Victoria University's Solar House to US Energy Competition

UPDATE: Victoria's First Light bach has gained second place in the Solar Decathlon architecture contest and first in the engineering contest.

At "First Light" – Photo: Charles Sneiderman

This week in Washington DC, students from Victoria University in Wellington are competing in a international "solar decathlon" conducted by the US Department of Energy.

US corporate and Federal sponsors contributed funds to pay for the construction and transportation of "First Light", a house designed to saves as much energy as it consumes. It is a traditional New Zealand "Kiwi bach" holiday home. The house gets it's name from the fact that each day the first solar rays arrive in NZ.

Visitors to the house this weekend included Helen Clark, Administrator of UN Development Program. The former Prime Minister has a keen interest in the environment and innovation.

Helen Clark at "First Light" – Photo UNDP

More info: Victoria University: Hundreds of thousands to tour Kiwi bach in US capital | Scoop News
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