What we needed:

• Supply materials to construct the house, both in New Zealand and in the US
• Supply research and testing services during construction
• Provide external professional advice on architecture, design, engineering, construction and other aspects of running the house
• Ship and transport the house to and from Washington DC from Wellington
• Provide travel and accommodation support for students and support staff
• Help us assemble and disassemble the house in the U.S. capital
• Provide advice on ensuring compliance with building and other regulations, here and in the US
• Help us run events to celebrate and showcase New Zealand talent, products and services associated with the house and its construction here and in the U.S.
• Provide awards and research funding for students
• Work with us on promoting and filming the project to ensure it receives maximum exposure.

We asked individuals, companies and organisations, from New Zealand and overseas, to join many others in supporting the project.

Donor benefits

We assured supporters that their donations would be supporting the next generation of Kiwi professionals.

Donors were eligible to receive a range of benefits from the following:

• be strongly associated with renewable energy and a project demonstrating energy efficiency, affordability and design
• have name and logo displayed with the house in Washington DC and New Zealand
• receive exposure in the U.S., New Zealand and other markets
• have website links to/from the New Zealand Solar Decathlon team website
• develop opportunities with the student team
• be associated with U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 and Victoria University of Wellington
• be associated with a successful project