One Week Left! Join the Solar Decathlon 2023 Design Challenge

Solve the Climate Crisis, One Zero-Energy Building at a Time

Oct. 18, 2022 | By Kelly MacGregor | Contact media relations

5 students smile while presenting in the front of a large meeting room. Text reads: U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Design Challenge, Register Now. — Collegiate students present their zero-energy building design to juries at the Solar Decathlon 2022 Competition Event.

One week remains for collegiate teams to register for the next U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon^® cycle!

Change the status quo of the built environment by imagining a zero-energy building of the future as part of the hands-on 2023 Design Challenge.

Register your team today! Registration closes on October 26 at 5 p.m. ET.

What Is the Solar Decathlon?

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is a collegiate competition that prepares the next generation of building professionals to design and build high-performance, low-carbon buildings powered by renewables. The Design Challenge is a one- to two-semester, design-only competition, while the Build Challenge is a two-year design-build competition. Over the last 20 years, the Solar Decathlon has challenged more than 25,000 students to create efficient, affordable buildings powered by renewables, while promoting student innovation, STEM education, and workforce development opportunities in the buildings industry.

What Is the Solar Decathlon 2023 Design Challenge?

As part of the Solar Decathlon 2023 Design Challenge, top collegiate students from across the globe compete to design sustainable, high-performance, low-carbon buildings powered by renewables. Many teams use the Design Challenge as an on-ramp to the two-year Build Challenge, where teams construct or renovate permanent homes in their local communities.

What Do I Need To Know To Register?

There's no need to have a design in mind yet or a finalized roster of team members to register. At this stage, all you need to register is the name and contact information of your Team Lead or Faculty Lead and record your intent to compete in 2023.
Design drafts are not due until early 2023, leaving several more months for teams to recruit members.
Read the 2023 Design Challenge Rules, Competition Guide, and details.

What Does the Event Look Like?

WATCH: Check out the Solar Decathlon 2022 Competition Event highlights and 2023 kickoff webinar to get a feel for the competition.
VIEW: Photos from last year's Design Challenge!

Looks Great! (How Can I Register, Again?)

Register here! Registration closes on October 26 at 5 p.m. ET. We look forward to welcoming you into the Solar Decathlon community.