Arbor Insulation - Solar Decathlon 2005

Solar Decathlon 2005

In 2005, University of Michigan entered the Department of Energy's Solar Decathlong. For this project, Arbor Insulation provided the primary insulation for the unique curved aluminum structure. Arbor Insulation's open-cell spray foam was used for this project.

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The University of Michigan Miso* project house used open-cell spray foam to increase the energy efficiency of the home, provide sound deadening for the aluminum walls, and contribute to the structural integrity of the walls. It presented a unique and challenging installation scenario. Each of the curved panels that made up the primary walls/roof of the home needed to be filled with spray foam, after the panels had been assembled. To work within this constraint, Arbor Insulation developed a method of spraying the interior of each panel through holes drilled through the interior aluminum skin.

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The home used a 32 solar panels attached to the outside curved surface of the aluminum walls to provide the necessary electricity for the lighting and appliances. The generated electricity from the solar panels are stored in deep-cell batteries for usage, when sunlight is not available. As you might expect, energy efficient lights and appliances are used throughout the home to make the most use of the stored electricity.

The entire home is 650-square-feet, has one bedroom, living and dining space, a bathroom, a small kitchen and a laundry area. Although the home is small, it makes use of all the space and is quite livable. If you would like to see this home for yourself, it is being moved to the University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens . The home should be available for visitors soon.

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