Solar Decathlon team celebrates building milestone

Solar Decathlon team members guide a small tree to its resting place as part of the Topping Off Party April 29.

The 2011 Solar Decathlon team from Purdue University hosted a topping off party April 29 at its construction site.

As construction crews worked to place the final piece of the roof, supporters and friends of the team gathered to watch and celebrate with the team. It was the first public viewing of the structure, which should be completed in July.

The Solar Decathlon is a biennial competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. It challenges 20 teams from around the world to create a useable home that derives all of its electricity needs from solar power.

More than 200 students from across the University have been involved with the project since the team was formed in 2009. The competition takes place in Washington, D.C., September 23-October 2.

Read coverage of the party in the Lafayette Journal and Courier.

Read recent coverage of the team in the Purdue Exponent.

See current photos from the construction camera (always on).