WASHINGTON Sept. 22 – Sen. Bernie Sanders today toured a solar-powered
home built by Middlebury College students who are competing in a U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

The international competition has drawn entries from universities vying to build the best and most cost-efficient home powered with solar energy.

Sanders met with the Middlebury College team and toured the home
they constructed in an exhibit near the National Mall in Washington.

“For those who think solar power is something we will only begin to look to in the future, the Solar Decathlon shows that solar energy is ready today, and demonstrates how we can incorporate affordable solar energy
into our homes,” Sanders said.

“I am particularly proud of the team from Middlebury College which represented Vermont extremely well in this competition. They built an attractive and functional home that uses solar energy for electricity, water heating, and temperature control. I also want to congratulate all the students from around the country and around the world who are participating in this unique competition.”

The Middlebury entry is modeled on a classic New England farm house. It features enough solar energy to meet all of its needs.

After the competition, the building will be returned to Middlebury where it will house students and provide educational value for students studying sustainable energy.