International program demonstrates value of energy-efficient construction and renewable energy systems available today; trains student participants for future in the green economy

ROCKVILLE, Md.--Standard Solar, Inc., a leader in the full-service development, installation and financing of solar electric systems for residential, commercial, government and utility customers, today announced its support and sponsorship of Team Capitol DC in the 2013 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. The Solar Decathlon is an award-winning international competition that challenges elite collegiate teams to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive. Team Capitol DC will compete in the decathlon October 3–13, 2013, at Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California.

Team Capitol DC represents an unprecedented collaboration of three District of Columbia universities, comprising more than 100 students and faculty leaders from The Catholic University of America, The George Washington University and American University. Together, the three-university team will compete against 19 other teams in the international competition. Over the next year, the team will work together to design, manufacture and communicate about a solar-powered house, which will be then transported and assembled in California for the competition. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

Although the competition takes place in October 2013, the team will follow the progress and discuss topics related to solar energy through a video webisode series housed on the official website, along with blog and social media channels, throughout the year. Standard Solar will serve as an active advisor to the team, providing the team with technical consultation through the design process, materials and onsite installation consultation during the team's building period on CUA's campus this spring. CJ Colavito, Standard Solar's Director of Engineering, will work directly with the team.

"Team Capitol DC is thrilled to work with CJ and Standard Solar on implementing the PV system on our Harvest house. Not only does this partnership assist us in achieving our three goals for the project: serving veterans, winning the competition, and educating the public on healthy sustainable design; it is only through working with industry leaders like Standard Solar that we truly engage our students in designing for the clean energy future," said William Jelen, AIA, Solar Decathlon Director, The Catholic University of America.

"We are honored to serve as an advisor to Team Capitol DC and look forward to applying our real-world experience to the creative concepts the team develops," said Tony Clifford, Standard Solar's CEO. "Our involvement in the Solar Decathlon is coming full circle, as CJ was involved as a student in the first event held in 2002. The students participating in this program are the clean energy leaders of tomorrow and we are proud to support and foster the team's ingenuity, preparing them for a rewarding career."

The Solar Decathlon is a biennial event that was launched in 2002. The Great Park was selected as the site for the Solar Decathlon 2013 through a national competition. This will be the first time that the event has been held outside of Washington, D.C.

Twenty university teams have been selected to participate in the Solar Decathlon 2013. All of the competition houses will be open to visitors during the decathlon.

About Team Capitol DC

Team Capitol DC represents students and faculty leaders at three District universities for a city-wide presence at the U.S. Department of Energy's international Solar Decathlon competition in 2013. The three pillars of the competition are represented by: Catholic University architecture students and faculty advisors, George Washington University engineering students and faculty advisors, and American University communication students and faculty advisors. Team Capitol DC will design and showcase a home that educates the public about opportunities presented by clean-energy products and provides student participants with unique professional training in skilled collaborative work across disciplines.

For more information, visit www.TeamCapitolDC.org, like www.Facebook.com/TeamCapitolDC and follow on Twitter @DCHarvestHome.

About Standard Solar

Standard Solar, Inc. is a leader in the full-service development, construction, integration, financing and installation of solar electric systems. Dedicated to making solar solutions more accessible to consumers, businesses, institutions and governments, the company is leading the way to energy independence. Committed to offering responsible and energy cost-saving solar solutions that conform to the highest standards, Standard Solar is one of the most trusted and respected solar companies. Since 2004, Standard Solar has been the partner of choice to make solar energy financially accessible, helping customers through financing options, including Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and navigating expanded federal and state and local tax credits. The company's Standard Energy Solutions (SES) division provides energy auditing and retrofitting services for energy improvement projects. Named one of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in America for three consecutive years by Inc. magazine, Standard Solar is headquartered in Rockville, MD. For more information, please visit www.standardsolar.com.