ABU DHABI // An international competition offering university students Dh10 million in prize money to design and build the most attractive and efficient solar-powered house is coming to the UAE.
Dubai is set to host the preliminary rounds of the inaugural Middle East Solar Decathlon in 2018 and 2020.
An agreement between the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy , Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), and the United States Department of Energy paved the way for creation of a regional edition of the event which has already expanded to Europe, China and Latin America.
Hosting the competition was a practical step in supporting Dubai’s desire to become an international hub of renewable and sustainable energy said Saeed Al Tayer, vice chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and chief executive of Dewa.
“Dubai’s goal is to become the city with the least carbon footprint in the world. By organising this competition, we spread knowledge and raise awareness of the benefits and opportunities that clean and renewable energy technologies offer,” he said.
Mr Al Tayer called on university teams from around the world to participate in the 2018 event which will include over 20 contestant teams.
Collegiate teams will have to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective and energy-efficient, while taking into account the region’s climate.
The first Solar Decathlon was held in Washington DC in 2002 and has since taken place biennially with the last competition occurring in California in 2015.
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