DOE BuildingsNEXT™ Student Design Competition

Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the BuildingsNEXT™ Team Showcase, formerly known as the Solar Decathlon Design Challenge and the Race to Zero Student Design competition, challenges and inspires the next generation of building science professionals to design an affordable, net zero energy home that meets DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home guidelines.

Penn State has participated in this competition since it began in 2014 as the DOE Challenge Home competition.

Check out the links to the right to read more about Penn State's submissions.

For more information on the competition, visit the BuildingsNEXT™ Student Design Competition website.

2026 BuildingsNEXT™ Student Design Competition

To participate in the BuildingsNEXT™ Student Design Competition as a student, faculty mentor, industry adviser, or financial supporter, contact Chris Hine.

Students can also go to the Solar Decathlon Team of Penn State, SDPS at University Park's Discover webpage.