Competing in the U.S. Department of Energy's biennial Solar Decathlon, UC Davis' students had extreme weather in mind while creating their entry, Our H2Ouse. Similar to Missouri University of Science and Technology's entry, SILO, Our H2Ouse achieves Net-Zero status, relying completely on solar power and producing as much energy as it consumes.
Our H2Ouse emphasizes clear, understandable information and monitoring of water storage via automation to influence human water use and consumption practices, Curbed reports.
All of the wood used to build Our H2Ouse was salvaged from forests killed in the drought. Removing the dead trees helps to prevent and mitigate forest fires.