As part of their commitment to discovering cost effective, clean energy solutions for everyday living, BP is a proud sponsor of the 2007 BP Solar Decathlon event.

Twenty teams have been selected by the U.S Department of Energy to participate in this unparalleled solar competition. The teams, from colleges and universities from around the world, compete in this event to design, build and operate the most energy efficient and aesthetically appealing home powered by solar energy.

This event is a great opportunity to showcase young talents of clean and renewable technology. In this competition, the teams can only leverage the power of the sun to generate enough electricity to run a modern household. With that, they need to carefully choose the systems, products and appliances used in their solar-powered home.

I reckon this is an absolutely fantastic idea! Not only this competition can inspire many young and aspiring students for the new wave of alternative energy and green technology, it also shows us that BP cares about the future, and I must applaud initiatives like this.

Anyway, these homes will ultimately be transported to the “solar village” at the National Mall in Washington, D.c, and the public can visit this “solar village” from October 11 to 19.

If you simply cannot make it to Washington for this, you can still keep abreast with the happenings of this event at their blog - www.bpsolardecathlon.com. As part of their support for the competition, BP has specially created this blog in which all of the teams as well as their on-site reporter will write posts throughout competition.