CalPoly’s INhouse

For the 2015 Solar Decathlon Building Competition, Cal Poly State University designed and build the INhouse, integrating a few smart passive solar features.

Cal Poly’s INhome from the north. The outer envelope’s passive solar design elements can be seen in the shade contrasting with the wooden slats. Thomas Kelsey/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

Some of the home’s features include:

• Clerestory windows to allow hot air to leave the building
• Palm oil, used as a phase change material, in the home’s core as the thermal mass to help stabilize the home’s temperature
• Walls and roof made from SIPs (structured insulated panels)
• A folding window wall that extends the living area to the sheltered deck

The INhome has an attractive layout designed for a warmer coastal area that levereages the temperate environment to its advantage by allowing the home extend to the area of the southern deck, shaded by solar panels.

Interior of the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo house at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015 at the Orange County Great Park, Irvine, California (Credit: Thomas Kelsey/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

The team finished in 3rd place overall. Additionally, team Solar Cal Poly tied for 1st in commuting and received 2nd place in market appeal, 2nd place in home life, 3rd place in architecture, and 4th place in engineering.

PV arrays for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015 at the Orange County Great Park, Irvine, California (Credit: Thomas Kelsey/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

Cal Poly’s website: calpolysolardecathlon.org
Info: solardecathlon.gov/2015/competition-team-cal-poly
Gallery: solardecathlon.gov/2015/photos-gallery-cal-poly