Solar Decathlon 2019 Future Planning - Request for Information

houses, gather ideas to use in their own homes, and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money today. The next Solar Decathlon will take place October 5-15, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. Since Solar Decathlon’s inception in 2002, DOE has continuously sought to refine and improve both the application process and event execution. This Request for Information (RFI) seeks information to inform designing, planning and implementing Solar Decathlon 2019, which is also planned to take place in the Denver area. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback from past, present, and prospective participants in the Solar Decathlon; broader academic circles; industry; sponsors; and other stakeholders on issues related to the Solar Decathlon 2019 competition. The objective is to improve the outcomes aligned with the Solar Decathlon. The goals of this RFI are twofold: 1. Gather feedback on changes being considered by the Department of Energy to increase the opportunities for team participation and innovation, and 2. Gather feedback on ways DOE can reduce the barriers to entry for participation for university teams. DOE is specifically interested in feedback regarding changes that would make it easier for universities to compete in the Solar Decathlon while maintaining the ability to hold a large public event that enables the public to experience the innovation in the houses. This is an RFI only. EERE will not pay for information provided under this RFI and no project will be supported as a result of this RFI. This RFI is not accepting applications for financial assistance or financial incentives. Please see the full RFI DE-FOA-0001753 document in EERE Exchange at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/.