U.S. Department of Energy Announces Plans to Collaborate With Columbia On First Solar Decathlon in Latin America

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Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman, Colombia’s Minister of Energy and Mines Amylkar Acosta, Mayor of Santiago de Calí Rodrigo Guerrero, and Director of Planning of Colombia Tatyana Orozco have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) “to collaborate in the development of a Solar Decathlon Latin America and Caribbean competition.” Under the MOU, both countries will, among other things, “exchange information regarding rules, scoring, judging, safety, and site and team selection for a Solar Decathlon Latin America and Caribbean event.” It was further announced that the first Solar Decathlon Latin America and Caribbean is expected to take place in Santiago de Cali in late 2015. This marks the first step towards a Solar Decathlon competition in Latin America.

Since 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy has helped launch four international Solar Decathlon competitions, including two in Madrid, Spain in 2010 and 2012; one in Datong, China in 2013; and one planned for Versailles, France in July 2014.

Additional Sources: U.S. Solar Decathlon 2015: Teams Announced; 2014 Solar Decathlon Europe – Solar Home Stretch For Participants; Vienna University of Technology Shines at US Solar Decathlon 2013; Countdown to U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 and XPO; Congratulations Solar Decathlon China 2013 Award Winners ; U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon