The Sky's the Limit! Our Winning Solar Roofpod

Everything you wanted to know about CCNY’s innovative project but weren’t sure who to askBy Donika Rexhepi.City College’s Solar Roofpod project has won national praise and been covered by media across the country and the world. Designed and constructed by Team New York—CCNY archeticture and engineering students--the portable apartment produces solar power and heat. The Team transported the pod, which looks like a small apartment and is designed to sit on an urban rooftop, to Washington DC to compete in the finals of the government’s Solar Decathlon last month. We didn’t win the international competition, but finished among the top projects.Despite the acclaim, many students don’t know about it, or understand exactly what it is. As Team New York makes plans to bring the Solar Roofpod back to CCNY, it’s time to get up to speed. With the help ofarchitecture professor Christian Volkmann, who has been working alongside his students to make the project come to life, we offer this Solar Roofpod FAQ:Q: How does the Solar Roofpod work?A: The basic idea is that the house uses less energy than it can produce.  The solar panels and tubes on top of the roof gain energy from the sun and then it stores energy for the night.  There is a mechanical room in the center of the house that converts to electrical energy or into hot or cold air, depending on the season.  The walls are super insulated (notice how there are very few windows) to keep the temperature inside manageable.Q: What is the purpose of it?A: The idea was to utilize rooftops on NYC by creating a prototype building that can be put on numerous buildings citywide. We are not doing much with our roofs anyways.Q:  Can people actually live in it?A: Yes.Q: How long has the team been working on it?A: Two years.Q: How much did it cost to build?A: Estimated total of $400,000Q: How many people are involved?A: 50-60 Architecture students, 10-15 Engineering students, 10 Faculty members, a few sponsors.Q: How does the Solar Decathlon competition work?A: The competition is every two years and you begin working on the project soon as you are accepted. It opened to the public on Friday, Sept. 23, at 10 am – October 2, 2011. And then you vote online for Team New York for the people’s choice award.Q: We did well, but didn’t win. What would it have meant if City College had won the decathlon?A: “Winning the competition is a way to get recognition There is no money involved  for the winner however, at the initial entry of the competition $100,000 is granted towards building the project and the rest was fundraised.”Q: Last thoughts?A: City College is underestimated and people need to know we are great. This competition will hopefully put City College on the map. I would like it to be used as a model to future City College students and take pride in this great accomplishment.Stay tuned: We will follow-up on the Solar Roofpod, once it returns to CCNY. In the meantime, the project website provides more information.