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Dow Corning is sponsoring the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon, a three-week competition between college and university students to build the most effective and energy-efficient solar-powered home. The event, which will take place at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is internationally recognized and offers solutions to the ever-increasing need for clean, renewable energy.

The Solar Decathlon consists of 10 contests centered on the ways energy is used in everyday life including architecture, engineering, lighting design, and appliances. Some contents are scored by measuring performance, while others might require a simulation of real-life activities such as cooking or washing dishes.

At the competition, Dow Corning is sponsoring an electronic scoreboard which provides daily results to event spectators at the National Mall. While promoting solar energy, the event aims to educate, raise awareness, and foster collaboration about the many benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

”The Solar Decathlon is a great event that will promote the use of solar technology while fostering collaboration between these talented students,” said Marie Eckstein, Dow Corning’s vice president and chief administrative officer.  “We wish the teams the best of luck and look forward to seeing the solutions they develop.”

The Opening Ceremonies for the event officially begin on Oct. 8 at 1 p.m., however work has already been done by the 20 participating teams.  The final awards ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 16.

The homes will be open to the public from Oct. 9-13 and 15-18, and will be open for tours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Over 800 student competitors from the United States, Canada, Spain, and Germany, who have been designing and building since their teams were chosen two years ago, will compete in this year's competition. Students will have to perform everyday tasks, such as cooking, doing the laundry, and even washing dishes, to test the energy efficiency of their homes. To learn more about the teams, see the Solar Decathlon team page.

Dow Corning’s silicon-based materials are used in solar cell manufacturing, solar module assembly and installation. In the past five years, Dow Corning and its joint ventures at the Hemlock Semiconductor Group have announced investments of more than $5 billion to research and develop as well as to expand production of materials critical to the solar industry.

To learn more about Dow Corning’s efforts to promote a comprehensive energy policy that will support the growth and success of a vibrant American solar energy industry visit www.dowcorning.com/solarpolicy.

About Dow Corning

Dow Corning provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow Corning offers more than 7,000 products and services via the company’s Dow Corning® and XIAMETER® brands. Dow Corning is a joint venture equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning’s annual sales are outside the United States.

The Hemlock Semiconductor Group (Hemlock Semiconductor) is comprised of two joint ventures:  Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor, L.L.C.  The companies are joint ventures among Dow Corning Corporation, Shin-Etsu Handotai, and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.  Hemlock Semiconductor is a leading provider of polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices, and solar cells and modules.  Hemlock Semiconductor began its Michigan operations in 1961 and broke ground at its Tennessee location in 2009.

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