IRVINE, CA (Oct. 1, 2015):  The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015 opens to the public in just one week, for its run Oct. 8-11 and Oct. 15-18 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Orange County Great Park. Student competitors are now busily constructing the solar-powered houses they imagined and designed at their college campuses across the nation and around the world.

Members of the media are invited to a Media Preview, to be held at the Great Park on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This event will include a guided tour of the Solar Decathlon Village plus access to the solar houses and interview opportunities with student competitors and event organizers. Members of the media should enter the Great Park by taking Sand Canyon to Marine Way. Follow signage to parking.

This is the second time the City of Irvine will host the Solar Decathlon, following a successful exhibit in 2013. The event invites members of the public to tour solar-powered houses that offer energy-saving tips consumers can put to use in their homes today. Parking for the free event is $10. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency. For more on the Solar Decathlon, visit solardecathlon.gov and cityofirvine.org.

For detailed information for the media, go to solardecathlon.gov/2015/news-press-room.html.