Student Profile

Name: Ben Taylor

Age: 21

Major/minor: Mechanical Engineering

Year in program: fourth

Where are you from(hometown): ) Austin, TX

First Concert You EVER went to: Barenaked Ladies

Hobbies: Biking, Rock Climbing, Reading

Why you're a part of UTSolarD:? I am a part of UTSolarD because I was looking for a real world project or club I could get involved. Solar D is a great opportunity to actually apply what I have learned so far in engineering and actually see some of my design work come to life.

What do you bring to the team: I believe I am the lone Mechanical Engineer on the project and as such I bring lots of Mechanical Engineering expertise, sorta. Really, I have a lot of passion for renewable energy and believe in the purpose of the Solar Decathlon in proving to the public that solar energy is a totally feasible technology today.

Your role on this team? I am working on energy use strategy, car strategy and designed the heat exchanger for the water trough.

What do you want to gain during this experience: I wanted to gain and already have gained knowledge about how what I have learned in my classes can be applied to a real project. I have also learned a tremendous amount about what is involved in actually getting a project of this scale completed. I have also met a lot of cool people with similar interests as me.

What is the most important part of this project to you: The most important part of the project to me is proving the sustainable technology that is incorporated in the house.

Tell me your favorite solar d story so far: I think when I scared off the guy tagging the back of the hangar at about 5:45 in the morning was a pretty funny...