SmartPower Scouts America’s Next Eco-Star at U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

Is America’s Next Eco-Star in West Potomac Park?

SmartPower staff members hoped to find out when they stopped by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Wednesday, where they canvassed the event’s grounds in support of SmartPower’s new sustainability video contest, America’s Next Eco-Star. 

Launched in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, America’s Next Eco-Star is a nationwide search for the next generation of clean energy and energy efficiency leaders. Sustainability directors at any college or university may nominate up to three on-campus “eco-stars” – students, professors, or faculty members who have demonstrated remarkable commitment to educating their peers about the importance of energy efficiency, clean energy, and sustainability efforts – who must then submit a video about their work.

Fan votes and a panel of judges will determine the winner, announced February 2, who will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the summer 2012 Sustainable Futures Academy in Salzburg, Austria. The winner’s school will also receive $1,000 to put toward a sustainability project of its choosing. More details and complete rules are available at www.americasnextecostar.com.

While in West Potomac Park, SmartPower staff visited with different Solar Decathlon teams. Check out the video above to meet one team member and learn about his school’s clean energy and energy efficiency innovations! You can also follow our staff on Twitter (@SmartPower_org and @AmNextEcoStar) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/SmartPower.org and www.facebook.com/AmericasNextEcoStar) to keep up with updates on Eco-Star and our Solar Decathlon coverage.

NOTE: Check out more great photos like the one above on the Solar Decathlon Flickr feed!