Panasonic Makes a Statement at 2014 Solar Decathlon

Panasonic is delighted to announce that it will be featuring in one of the shortlisted prototype houses in this year’s award-winning, Solar Decathlon Europe 2014, Versailles.

Inspired by the original American Solar Decathlon, the Solar Decathlon Europe is an international competition that unites universities and colleges from around the world to design, build and develop full-scale, fully-functional and affordable solar homes.

The Solar Decathlon Europe will be held in France from 28th June 2014 to 14th July 2014 at The City of the Sun Park, Versailles. This year, however, the rules have changed. The international judging panel will inspect each entry by its energy-saving aspects, environmental transition density, simplicity, cost, mobility, innovation and contextualisation.

Once all entries have been cut down to 20 properties, prototypes will be opened to the public and judged following ten key criteria points. These include the following: architecture; engineering and construction; energy efficiency; energy balance; comfort; equipment and operation; communication and social awareness; urban design, mobility, cost; innovation and durability.

These prototypes will be continuously monitored by sensors installed in each room.

Amongst the 20 projects selected from 16 countries and three continents, the French university and the University of Anger have combined with the Appalachian State University in the United States to create ‘The Reciprocity House’.

Based around the concept of a townhouse, the Reciprocity house adapts seamlessly into the context of an urban-French home, with the space and ability to perform as a fully functioning house on either one level floor alone or up to four floors.

The envelope of the house has been designed to provide thermal insulation, whilst a passive standard "sun shading" provides simultaneous climate protection and energy production. Other energy saving facilities applied to this property include 20 mono-crystalline modules on the roof-terrace, with a total capacity of 4.8 kWp, which will be attached to galvanized steel chassis at an inclination of 18°. The facility will be associated with a fleet of 16 lead-acid batteries with a total capacity of 6 kWh.

In order to focus all systems into one compact, easy to install and fully functioning unit, Panasonic’s Aquarea air to water heat pump was specified. With its exceptional heating, cooling and hot water capabilities and a small carbon footprint, the Aquarea system focuses the entire system into a single unit which is installed outside the house.

Panasonic’s Aquarea air to water heat pump system is available in a range of sizes, starting from 3kW up to 16kW. For this project, a small 5kW power system was ample for the well-insulated house. Overall, this system will minimize the power consumption and, with a COP of 5.23, is the ideal solution for any home - giving The Reciprocity House a winning chance at this year’s Solar Decathlon 2014.

"Panasonic has always invested in research and developments projects, therefore it was natural for Panasonic to get involved in something as innovative as the Solar Decathlon Europe, " explains Marie Giraud, Marketing Manager at Panasonic Heating and Air Conditioning, France. "We are very proud to participate in this contest and wish the entire ‘Reciprocity house’ team good luck."

The city will be open from 28th June to 14th July 2014. The general award ceremony will then take place on Saturday, 12th July 2014, 20:00 The City of the Sun Park, Versailles.