Want a solar-powered house? U-M has one up for bid

ANN ARBOR, MI -- Want to own a solar-powered house? The University of Michigan has one up for bid.

The home, built by members of U-M's Michigan Solar (MiSo) team to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon Challenge in 2005, is now up for bid on U-M's Procurement Services website until Oct. 20.

Since its competition in 2005, the 459-square-foot home has been located on site at Matthaei Botanical Gardens as a teaching tool on the benefits of solar power, U-M Facilities Manager Jeff Walters said.

"It's just an educational display now during the hours the garden is open to the public," Walters said. "It's designed to be self-sustainable, so you can live off the grid, but we do have backup utilities for it."

The interior of the home includes a bedroom, bathroom including a toilet and shower, refrigerator, sink, furniture, storage space, a washing machine and a trailer to haul it wherever you want to go.

A 459-square-foot solar powered home is up for bidding on the University of Michigan Procurement Services website. Pictured is a recent tour of the interior of the home. Photo provided l U-MMartin Slagter | mslagter@mlive.com 


Vacuum tubes with heat pipes transfer solar heat energy to a closed circuit water loop, while a solar chimney is design to capture air heated by the sun in the glass spaces along the base of the south wall.

Hot air rises along the curve of the roof and is either released into the house in the winter or outside in the summer.

"It has a little wear and tear, but it's still in pretty good shape," Walters said. "With tiny homes being a trendy thing right now, this is a smaller home with alternative technology. For the right individual, it would be a desirable purchase, but it will take that special person."

For additional photos of the home and information on the bidding process, visit the U-M Procurement Services website. Walters said he is available to provide tours of the home from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Road.

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