Living space as a power plant: Solar house

The «Plus-Energie-Haus» constructed by the Technische Universität Darmstadt is a Solar Decathlon winner. The competition has been held each year since 2002 by the US Ministry for Energy. The task is to design and build a residential house to suit life that is self-sufficient with regard to energy. The houses must cover their entire energy requirements through self-produced solar power. Between two layers is a protected external area with sliding windows and folding slat shutters that can be open…