--- title: Competition url: 'https://sdme.nyuad.io/competition' markdown: 'https://sdme.nyuad.io/competition.md' date: '2026-10-23' description: 'Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 The Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME) was an international competition in which universities from all over the world designed, built and operated grid-connected, net-zero energy consumption houses. The houses use solar energy as their primary energy source and …' --- # Competition ![](competition/images/SDME_Logo_2017-10-01-white-on-grey-plain-flat.svg)### Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 The Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME) was an international competition in which universities from all over the world designed, built and operated grid-connected, net-zero energy consumption houses. The houses use solar energy as their primary energy source and were equipped with technologies to maximize energy efficiency. During the final phase of the competition teams assembled their houses, opened them to the general public, and were judged on the ten contests of the competition. The inaugural competition was held in the USA in 2002. Since then, the Solar Decathlon expanded internationally to include four additional worldwide competitions: Solar Decathlon China, Solar Decathlon Europe, Solar Decathlon Latin America and Caribbean, and the Solar Decathlon Middle East. Following upon the previous versions of the Solar Decathlon, the houses needed to adapt to the geographical specifics of the Middle East, taking into consideration the climate as well as the terrain. At the end of the two-year competition preparation period, the 22 participating teams presented fully-functional prototypes of their designed houses. They needed to adhere to the rules of the organizers as well as to the building standards of the places where they were built, including the ones in Dubai. The final stage of the competition took place in November 2018 at the [Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_bin_Rashid_Al_Maktoum_Solar_Park) in Dubai, UAE, where the competing teams presented their final prototypes in front of the general public, alongside a jury, that evaluated the various components of the house. --- ### Ten Competition Categories The Solar Decathlon Middle East organizers specified ten competition categories in which teams were judged and scored. These categories were inspired by past Solar Decathlon competitions as well as specific challenges unique to Dubai. #### ![](competition/images/Architecture.svg) Architecture Design Vision, Flexible space, Integrated technologies, Energy efficiency, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) readiness. #### ![](competition/images/EnergyManagement.svg) Energy Management Energy self-sufficiency, Reduction & Management of energy consumption, Enhanced energy efficiency. #### ![](competition/images/EngineeringConstruction.svg) Engineering & Construction Construct & Implement merit engineering system design, Highly functional house components. #### ![](competition/images/ComfortConditions.svg) Comfort Conditions Comfort & control of Temperature, Humidity, Lighting, Interior air quality. Acoustic performance. #### ![](competition/images/HouseFunctioning.svg) House Functioning House functionality, Efficiency of appliances, Support a modern household’s average energy use, Innovative Solutions and Elements, Use of Electrical Vehicles. #### ![](competition/images/SustainableTransportation.svg) Sustainable Transportation Capability of charging an Electrical Vehicle, Drive an Electric Vehicle for a typical commute. #### ![](competition/images/Innovation.svg) Innovation Innovative elements that increase value, Innovative elements that improve performance, Innovative elements that improve efficiency, Incorporate emergent, radical, and revolutionary solutions. #### ![](competition/images/Sustainability.svg) Sustainability Overall positive environmental impact, Reduce negative environmental impact, Incorporate Water Conservation initiatives. #### ![](competition/images/EnergyEfficiency.svg) Energy Efficiency Functional and efficient house design with systems and components that contribute to reducing energy consumption. #### ![](competition/images/Communication.svg) Communication Creatively, effectively, and efficiently transmit Competition topics, Promote the vision and identity of the team and project. --- ### Competition Site The 2018 and 2021 editions of the Solar Decathlon Middle East were hosted at a site adjacent to the [Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_bin_Rashid_Al_Maktoum_Solar_Park) and the [Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Innovation Center](https://www.mbrsic.ae/). --- ### Solar Decathlon History The [US Department of Energy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Energy) and the [National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Laboratory_of_the_Rockies) organized the first [Solar Decathlon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon) competition in 2002 and hosted numerous editions in the United States ([2002](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon#2002), [2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon#2005), [2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon#2007), [2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon#2009), [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon#2011), [2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon#2013), [2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon#2015), [2017](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon#2017)). The Solar Decathlon organizers have also coordinated international editions in [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon_China) ([2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon_China#Solar_Decathlon_China_2013), [2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon_China#Solar_Decathlon_China_2018), 2022), [Europe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon_Europe) ([2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon_Europe#Solar_Decathlon_Europe_2010), [2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon_Europe#Solar_Decathlon_Europe_2012), [2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon_Europe#Solar_Decathlon_Europe_2014), [2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon_Europe#Solar_Decathlon_Europe_2019), [2021](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon_Europe#Solar_Decathlon_Europe_2021/2022), [2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon_Europe#Solar_Decathlon_Europe_2023)), and the Middle East ([2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Decathlon_Middle_East#Solar_Decathlon_Middle_East_2018), 2021). In March of 2025, the Solar Decathlon competition was renamed to the [BuildingsNEXT Student Design Competition](https://www.energy.gov/cmei/buildings/buildingsnext/buildingsnext). --- ### Site Contents The contents of this site are maintained for archival purposes only. All technical information on this site should be treated as out-of-date, not code-compliant, and not viable for use in without comprehensive technical review. The concepts and principles shared on this site should, likewise, be viewed as thoughtful provocations from 2018 that, prior to implementing in , require consultation with qualified professionals in relevant industries. --- ## Navigation - Previous: [Home](https://sdme.nyuad.io/index.md) - Next: [Contact](https://sdme.nyuad.io/contact.md)