Design and Performance Evaluation of the BeauSoleil Solar Decathlon House

In October 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) hosted the Solar Decathlon-a competition in which 20 teams compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette entry, called the BeauSoleil House, was designed and assembled by a group of engineering and architecture students and faculty. Details of the BeauSoleil House Photovoltaic (PV) and electrical system design, issues associated with assembly, results of performance during competition, and lessons learned are presented in this paper.