Troy will be permanent site
of zero-energy home

By Robin Ruehlen
C & G Staff Writer

Thanks to Lawrence Technological University, Troy will soon be home to an amazing example of energy conservation for years to come.

From Oct. 12-20, a delegation of LTU students, Troy city officials and members of the Troy Chamber of Commerce will visit Washington, D.C., to participate in the Solar Decathlon competition, which is sponsored by the Department of Energy.  

The group brings with it a 700-square-foot home designed by the LTU students to use the sun to generate all the power it needs for heating, cooling, lighting and appliances — plus leftover energy to power a small electric vehicle.

Chamber President Michele Hodges said that after the competition, the home will be delivered to Troy on Oct. 23 and will be re-constructed on the Civic Center Campus as a “living laboratory of sustainable practices.”

“We thought it was a very exciting opportunity to say we’re committed to sustainable practices, and a great vehicle to educate residents and the trades alike on importance of sustainability,” she said.

The city purchased the home with the help of $150,000 in federal funding secured by Congressman Joe Knollenberg, R-Troy, and donations for re-construction, the site and the foundation.

“Worldwide, only 20 universities have been chosen to participate, and the students were further challenged by having to utilize materials readily available in stores today,” Hodges said.

Students began work on the project in the fall of 2005, writing a proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy to get into the competition, and they began planning and designing their structure in early 2006. Construction started in March.

LTU architecture professor Philip Plowright said the core group of about 20 students has been working hard for years on the project, which has become a major learning experience for them.

“These guys are, literally, working seven years ahead of where they are,” he said. “They’re working in a professional capacity.”

Heaters in the floor are designed to take advantage of the fact that warm air rises, and a water heating system uses the sun’s rays to heat enough water for an entire day.

Hodges said the home would be reconstructed as quickly as possible on the Civic Center site once it is returned to Michigan.

“I understand it goes up again quite easily,” she said.

The plans went before the Planning Commission on Sept. 25 and will be reviewed by City Council in October.

“We hope to have a big community celebration once it’s back in Troy, as well as exciting events and programming there,” she said.

The competition will take place on the National Mall, and the winning university will be announced on Oct.19. For more information on the LTU solar house, visit www.solar.ltu.edu.