A water heating system which uses solar radiation may become a steaming success for a University of Otago Design Studies professional practice fellow.
Andrew Wallace's research project, i which mirrors concentrate sunlight on to absorbers that heat water, was chosen to heat water in Victoria University's First Light sustainable house.
The house is one of hundreds of entries around the world submitted in the United States Department of Energy solar decathlon.
The project is now one of 20 which have been accepted to compete in the decathlon in Washington DC next year.
The biennial research challenge was established in 2002. It highlights and tests new technologies which promise a demonstrable benefit for society.
Mr Wallace was delighted First Light had been accepted for the prestigious competition.
It was one of only four entries from countries outside the United States which had been invited to compete. The other three were projects from China, Canada and Belgium.
His work would be closely scrutinised by many in the architecture and building sector, and had potential to be picked up for use in the domestic housing industry.
Mr Wallace hoped his design would be available within a decade in Third World countries as an inexpensive source of water heating.
"This event is an opportunity to rethink the role of energy-efficient housing in both a local and global context.
"Architecture and the building sector not only account for 50% of the world's energy consumption, they also consume 50% of its resources and create 40% of the world's waste.
"This highlights the need for innovative solutions to both energy consumption and the use of materials in construction," he said.
