Time to Shine

"Time to shine" is our theme. I think it is very appropriate for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

Time is important to all of us. Especially since a lifetime is rather short when compared to all of human history. There are only a few times in your life that are truly memorable, and we all want to have the “time of our lives.”

The Solar Decathlon 2015 decathletes invested a huge amount of time to build their houses. They invested more time to reassemble them here in California. That invested time has benefits that will pay dividends for the rest of their lifetimes. And ours.

Nate Heckman (center) of University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, gives a tour of the GRoWlarium, which is a combination solarium and green house at Solar Decathlon 2015. (Credit: Thomas Kelsey/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

I like shine because the sun shines on us every day. And because the Solar Decathlon gives decathletes an opportunity to show the public their incredible work on a national stage. Solar decathletes are shining examples to us all.

It’s time to shine! Come be inspired by these amazing students and their houses. Visit the Solar Decathlon at the Orange County Great Park. We’re open tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and we reopen during the same hours next Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 14-18. I hope to see you soon!

Richard King is the director of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.