Orion Weather Station Goes to Washington
Two teams have elected to use Orion Weather Stations to monitor weather parameters for their houses submitted for the 2009 Solar Decathlon in Washington DC. With a goal of net-zero energy consumption, weather conditions will directly affect the homes' operational systems.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Solar Decathlon brings together 20 teams from universities around the world to design and build zero-energy houses. The biannual event is in October with houses open for public viewing on October 9-13 and 15-18.
Virginia Tech's entry is called "lumenHAUS" - lumen for "the power of light" and "haus" being German for both house and home with a nod to the BauHaus movement.
The Refract House, a combined effort from Santa Clara University and California College of the Arts, is dedicated to "promoting the idea of living light" - harnessing sunlight, lightening the carbon footprint, and enlightening today's consumers.
Orion Weather Stations are manufactured in Hillsboro, Oregon by Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
