NRG Home Solar Partners with Solar Decathlon Team from Stevens Institute of Technology

From NRG:

NRG Home Solar Partners with Solar Decathlon Team from Stevens Institute of Technology

“Sure House” design to reduce energy use and protect against natural disasters Princeton, New Jersey – June 30, 2015 –NRG Home Solar, a division of NRG Energy, Inc. and one of the country’s leading residential solar companies, has joined forces with Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey to support the production of its U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon entry, the Sure House. The Sure House will be a home designed to use 90% less energy than similar homes available on the market. It is powered by solar energy, and in the aftermath of a storm becomes a hub for emergency power to the neighborhood with uniquely designed branch power circuits that transfer to standby circuits in the event of a grid outage. The Sure House will also incorporate design details allowing it to withstand temporary flooding up to 6 feet, plus storm shutters that provide protection during extreme storms. “The inspiring and progressive work these students are doing on the Sure House made it an easy decision to get involved in this competition,” said Kelcy Pegler Jr., President of NRG Home Solar. “Many employees at NRG Home Solar live and work in areas hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, so it’s fantastic to see the Stevens students tackle an incredible project that could better prepare us for the everchanging climate.” The competition entry was inspired by the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, which directly impacted many students involved in the project. The Stevens team is designing the Sure House to optimize energy efficiency through use of solar and smart energy technologies. The home is also configured specifically to protect against flooding and natural disasters. The Sure House is being developed by a team of 40 students - led by faculty - that includes undergraduates and graduates from a range of disciplines. NRG Home Solar is providing the photovoltaic solar panels to be used in the home’s solar array. “The Sure House is a groundbreaking new direction in storm resilient coastal housing and we are thrilled to have NRG Home Solar’s support and dedication to help bring it to fruition,” said Michael Bruno, Feiler Chair Professor and Dean, School of Engineering and Science. “The dedicated students on this team are working incredibly hard to produce a winning design for the Solar Decathlon competition, a design that can also translate into a working home that will save lives.” The Solar Decathlon will take place in October 8-18, 2015 in Irvine, California. About NRG Home Solar NRG Residential Solar Solutions LLC d/b/a Home Solar is one of the country’s leading solar companies specializing in the installation of residential solar. NRG Home Solar designs, installs and maintains solar systems that help smart homeowners bring their homes into the future with cleaner energy. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. and has offices throughout the US. NRG Home Solar empowers its customers to control their own energy destiny through clean selfgeneration. For more information please visit www.nrghomesolar.com or follow us on Twitter @NRGHomeSolar. About Stevens Institute of Technology Stevens Institute of Technology, The Innovation University®, is a premier, private research university situated in Hoboken, N.J. overlooking the Manhattan skyline. Founded in 1870, technological innovation has been the hallmark and legacy of Stevens’ education and research programs for more than 140 years. Within the university’s three schools and one college, more than 6,300 undergraduate and graduate students collaborate with more than 350 faculty members in an interdisciplinary, student-centric, entrepreneurial environment to advance the frontiers of science and leverage technology to confront global challenges. Stevens is home to three national research centers of excellence, as well as joint research programs focused on critical industries such as healthcare, energy, finance, defense, maritime security, STEM education and coastal sustainability. The university is consistently ranked among the nation’s elite for return on investment for students, career services programs and mid-career salaries of alumni. Stevens is in the midst of a 10-year strategic plan, The Future. Ours to Create., designed to further extend the Stevens legacy to create a forward-looking and far-reaching institution with global impact.