News Release

NC State Solar House Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Media Contact:
Keith Nichols, News Services, 919/515-3470

Nov. 1, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

North Carolina State University will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Solar House on Friday, Nov. 3, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at 1102 Gorman Street.

U.S. Rep. Brad Miller and Dr. Louis Martin-Vega, dean of NC State’s College of Engineering, will serve as keynote speakers.

NC State’s Solar House was dedicated and opened to the public in 1981. Part of the NC Solar Center, it is one of the most visible and visited solar buildings in the United States, drawing more than 250,000 people from around the world in the past two decades.

Solar House serves as the educational and demonstration showcase for solar and energy-efficient technologies at the NC Solar Center. A living laboratory for solar research, Solar House has been the focus of numerous graduate student theses and dissertations. The Solar House combines passive solar design, solar thermal and solar electric technologies to achieve dramatic energy savings – demonstrated by its annual $70 heating bill.  The Solar House grounds also include demonstrations of other green building materials and techniques, a working wind turbine, a fuel cell, biodiesel production equipment and many other technologies. 

Operated by NC State’s College of Engineering and funded in part by the State Energy Office of the NC Department of Administration, the NC Solar Center works to advance the use of renewable energy resources to ensure a sustainable economy that protects our natural environment, encourages energy independence, and lowers energy costs for consumers. The center provides technical support, K-12 education programs, training programs and policy support to the citizens, businesses and policymakers of North Carolina.

The Solar Center has also been involved in dozens of technical research projects throughout the state, including photovoltaic projects at various North Carolina high schools, Catawba College and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, solar thermal projects at Camp Lejeune and state DOT rest areas, combined heat and power projects at Fort Bragg and wind projects at the NC Maritime Museum’s Cape Lookout field station and for the National Park Service.