LEAFHOUSE: Maryland’s Solar Decathlon Zero Energy Home
The photovoltaic system which spans the entire sloped roof provides 100% of the electrical energy to the home and solar hot water tubes, and is all monitored by the adaptive control energy monitor system. The most innovative feature of the Maryland house may be the indoor waterfall—a liquid desiccant wall system that’s used to control humidity. As far as the team knows, such a system has never been used for a home. A grey water system also helps the recycling, filtering, and storage of water.
University of Maryland Placed fourth in 2002, and won the People’s Choice Award in 2005, and this year the gorgeous green home took second place in the Solar Decathlon Competition.
