Deputy energy secretary to visit UC Irvine, announce Solar Decathlon contestants

EVENT:  U.S. Dept. of Energy Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman will speak to UC Irvine students about the clean energy revolution and announce the 20 college teams and location for the 2015 Solar Decathlon.  Students from “Team Orange,” comprising UC Irvine, Chapman University, Irvine Valley College and Saddleback Valley College, will learn if they are selected. Poneman also will visit campus advanced energy labs to see the work of students and faculty.

WHEN/WHERE:  1-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb.13. Speech at 1:15 p.m and press availability at 1:45 p.m. California Institute for Telecommunications & Information Technology (Calit2) Courtyard, East Peltason Road and Los Trancos Drive, Irvine, Calif. Park at Anteater parking lot at Anteater Drive and East Peltason Road. See directions and map (PDF). Deputy Secretary Poneman’s remarks at UC Irvine will be live-streamed on www.energy.gov/live at 1:15 p.m.

INFORMATION:  Media planning to attend should contact Janet Wilson at 949-824-3969, cell 213-880-8948, janet.wilson@uci.edu; or Lori Brandt, lbrandt@uci.edu, 949-824-8306, cell 562-335-5291. Parking is complimentary for media who RSVP in advance.

BACKGROUND:  The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is an international competition held every two years that challenges 20 collegiate teams to design, build and operate the most attractive, effective and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The winner best blends affordability, consumer appeal and design excellence with optimal energy production. The Solar Decathlon 2013 was held at Orange County Great Park in Irvine. Open to the public and free of charge, the Solar Decathlon allows visitors to tour ultra-efficient houses, gather ideas to use in their own homes, and learn how energy-saving features can help reduce power bills.