URBANA, Ill. — The Illinois Solar Decathlon team has been named one of five Grand Winner Finalists in the 2015 U.S. Department of Energy Race to Zero Student Design Competition. The competition took place April 18-20 at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo.

Thirty-three teams from 27 universities competed to design, analyze and document a net-zero energy and net-zero water ready home that is cost-effective and consistent with mainstream builder construction practices. The total amount of energy used in a net-zero energy home on an annual basis is equivalent to or less than the amount of renewable energy created on the site. A net-zero water home means the home is certified for treatment of rainwater to potable standards.

Matthew McClone, a master’s student in civil engineering, is president of the Illinois Solar Decathlon team and project manager for the Race to Zero competition. He said they began work on the project in September 2014. They designed and built a net zero energy retrofit of a 1940s farmer’s cottage that was slated for demolition.

The team named their project the Sun Catcher Cottage, and McClone said all 28 students participated in the preparation of the 60-page report (with 500 pages of appendices). The report included full construction documents, financial analysis, and information about the engineering systems.

Illinois Solar Decathlon is currently establishing a team, recruiting advisors, and brainstorming concepts for the Solar Decathlon 2017 competition.