An Analysis of Entries in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2011 with a Focus on Cost-Benefit Assessment of Wall Assemblies

The purpose of this study was to determine which wall assembly from the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon proved to be the best option for widespread adoption. The wall assemblies were analyzed based on cost per square foot, clear wall R-value, and embodied energy as a means for comparison. The cost estimate calculated both material cost and associated labor cost in order to identify the most affordable assembly. Clear wall R-value was calculated based on the most common wall type used for each home and average R-value for materials. When calculating embodied energy, BTUs/sq.ft. were identified based on energy used during extraction and manufacturing only. Results were calculated for each team’s wall assembly.