Porter-Cable sponsors solar decathlon team

Towson, Md.-based Porter-Cable announced its sponsorship of the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 University of Maryland team.

Porter-Cable donated a variety of tools, including cordless and corded drills, circular saws, batteries, chargers, compressors, routers, pneumatic nailers and much more to aid in the construction of the team’s solar-powered house, which the University of Maryland team will assemble and operate during the competition.

“We’re extremely thankful for the generous tool donation provided to us by Porter-Cable,” said Brian Grieb, faculty project manager for University of Maryland. “Their tools helped our team construct the home in a timely and efficient manner. We had a tool for every need. ”

According to Grieb, the University of Maryland’s entry, WaterShed, will be on public display at Solar Decathlon 2011 at the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., from Sept. 23 through Oct. 2.

WaterShed’s mission is to design a solar-powered house, inspired and guided by the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem that interconnects the house, landscape and people who live in it. Watershed is focused on harnessing solar energy to power the house, as well as tackling issues related to the stewardship of water by incorporating design elements such as constructed wetlands and grey water filtration to capture, treat and store water.  Nearly 200 students from different disciplines including architecture, engineering, environmental science and technology, plant sciences and landscape architecture are participating in the development and construction of the house.