Solar Decathlon team honoured on Australia Day

The Wollongong Lord Mayor has presented the University of Wollongong (UOW) Solar Decathlon team with the Lord Mayor’s Special Award as part of the city’s Australia Day Awards. The team won the Solar Decathlon in China in 2013 with its Illawarra Flame net-zero energy house.

Team UOW Australia, comprising students from UOW and TAFE Illawarra, was the first Australian team to be invited to participate in the Solar Decathlon, which has been dubbed the ‘Energy Olympics’. It is recognised as one of the most significant sustainability competitions in the world.

The team scored 957.6 out of a possible 1000 points to win the competition - the highest score awarded in any Solar Decathlon competition. More than 35,000 people visited the Illawarra Flame house at the Solar Decathlon exhibition grounds in Datong, China, making it one of the most popular exhibits.

Speaking on behalf of fellow team members, marketing manager Jack Breen said the team was delighted to be recognised with the accolade from the Lord Mayor.