The 2013 Solar Decathlon, a student competition operated by the US Department of Energy, has officially drawn to a close and a winner has been announced. Students from the University of Vienna placed first with their LISI Home, a net-positive solar home design that uses a collection of sustainable technologies for grid-free living. The LISI Home, or “Living Inspired by Sustainable Innovation”, is a prefab structure with a rooftop solar panel array and a variation of indoor and outdoor living spaces below. It is designed to provide all the energy a family would need without a connection to the electrical grid, living entirely with solar power and smart heating/cooling systems that use both passive and elective systems.  LISI is built on-site from pre-constructed sections that arrive in shipping containers. The finished home has an open central living space with a modern kitchen and a private section contains bedrooms for occupant and guests. The outdoor sections of the LISI home are multi-faceted and vibrant, featuring plenty of space for both horizontal and vertical gardening. In total, it was deemed a great success by the Solar Decathlon, enough to earn top honors for 2013.
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LISI Home – 2013 Solar Decathlon Winner | Gallery
