On Sunday, June 24, the ISU PrISUm team will be unveiling its 11th solar car from 1 to 4 p.m. in Ankeny, Iowa, alongside what looks to be Central Iowa’s first net-zero energy home.

Solar, or net-zero, homes are more common in coastal regions where energy prices are substantially higher and government incentives are offered. But as social awareness and interest in green energy grows, this technology is becoming more prevalent — and affordable — even in the Midwest.

Joel Eakins, senior in accounting and the PrISUm Team’s outreach director and treasurer, is looking forward to the message this weekend that both solar living and transport are within reach.

“There seems not to be enough concern about powering transportation. … So much of the economy hinges on infrastructure and cross-country travel,” Eakins said.

Century 21 Realtor Laurie Culp approached the team during the 2012 Ames Eco Fair with an invitation to show off their latest model, Hyperion, at the weekly open house this weekend.

Culp, an eco-conscious professional, said, “We want to be responsible with what we’re given.”

Culp said the solar home, finished about a year ago, relies on 20 solar panels on the roof to provide energy to the home and a conservative design to minimize energy lost. The design closely models strategies developed on the East Coast modified for the change in environment, mostly weather, experienced here in Iowa. Triple-pane windows and thicker walls, allowing for multiple types of insulation, reduce energy loss during the cold months.

More than a publicity opportunity for Century 21 and the PrISUm Team, Eakins said he hopes to see a greater emphasis on solar power.

“The idea that we’re presenting here. … You can have a solar powered car and a house,” Eakins said.

From an engineering perspective this weekend’s demonstration represents an opportunity for further testing before the team departs for the 2012 American Solar Challenge, a cross-country competition.

Evan Stumpges, the project director, said that since he’s been a part of the team, this year has been the first that they have completed building soon enough for a full system testing.

“In 2010 our car was finished on the race track,” Stumpges said. The team finalized the electrical wiring of the solar car at 3 a.m., tired and losing focus. It was little surprise that issues with the electronics sprouted up during the race. This time, the team has already completed Hyperion with two weeks left for troubleshooting.

In their last competition their vehicle suffered a frame crack which required the race crew to withdraw for half a day to weld in plates, getting back to the competition and still coming in fourth place.

One of the many concerns with undertaking a project like that of the PrISUm Team is funding. To date the team has raised approximately $330,000 for the construction of Hyperion, a mere $4,000 short of the sale price of the Solar House on display this weekend. As a favor for the additional publicity, Century 21 has agreed to become a sponsor for the PrISUm team.