INhome built, ready for competition

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WLFI) - The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is a competition challenging teams from college teams from around the world to design, build and operate solar-power houses.

Purdue's solar house is built, now the team said they are ready to win.

INhome, Purdue's solar house, has arrived in our nation's capitol.

It is the culmination of a lot of hard work by this team from West Lafayette.

Out of all the teams from across the globe, these Boiler builders were the first to get to work.

"Since then, it has been just hammer down full-blown working really hard to get this house complete," said Purdue Solar Team member Kevin Rogers.

More than hammers have been hard at work at the site. Big jobs, like making sure support beams were in place, to small ones like trimming ornamental grass, even some light painting was done.

"Although it looks like what you have maybe seen before, but there are a lot of features in the home that make it more sustainable, but also saves you money in the long run," said Purdue Solar Team member McKenna Regan.

Judges will grade each team based on 10 categories, including architecture and affordability. There are 100 points per category. The team with the most points wins. This team feels they have what it takes.

"After ten days, it is going to be us winning and then we get to come home," said Rogers.

Win or lose, this group has another goal in mind, to change the perception of energy efficiency and start a new green building movement.

The Solar Decathlon is set to wrap up September 24.