AquaGreen Team Wins Top Honors in Global Solar Decathlon Competition

Ajman University’s determined and talented “AquaGreen” team won top honors in two separate categories in the prestigious and rigorous Solar Decathlon competition held in Dubai. AquaGreen took first prize in “Engineering and Construction” and first prize in “Energy Management.” AquaGreen was the only team from the Middle East to win first place in any category.

The Solar Decathlon is an extremely competitive and challenging global competition. Established by an agreement between the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and the Department of Energy in the USA, the Solar Decathlon invites students from universities all around the world to design and build a solar, sustainable, zero-CO2 emission, smart house. Earning an opportunity to participate in the event is highly selective. This year, 15 teams were selected to showcase their creations. 

AquaGreen’s approach was to design a home that would be suitable for the UAE. They concentrated on solving the most pressing local sustainability problem – air-conditioning energy consumption – using material and technology popular by this country. The system they created resulted in 40-60% conservation of cooling energy in a cement home.

A team of 61 students – led by College of Engineering faculty members Dr. Sahar Kharrufa, Mrs. Sahar Makky, and Mr. Iyad Abdaljawad – worked diligently for 18 months to design and construct their house on AU’s campus before building it on the Solar Decathlon site in Dubai.

Two team members lived in the house throughout the two-week competition during which time it was tested for emissions and efficiency. The testing results led AU to win the “Energy Management” category after earning first place in “Engineering and Construction” on day one.  

“AquaGreen’s truly remarkable efforts resulted in a huge win for the future of sustainable living as well as two top honors for Ajman University,” said Chancellor Karim Seghir, Ph.D., of the outcome. “We are very proud of their contribution to the UAE and the world at large.”