NOTTINGHAM/COVENTRY: The University of Nottingham's Department of the Built Environment (SBE) has teamed up with leading international construction materials company Saint-Gobain to create an energy-efficient, zero carbon solar powered home which will be one of the key attractions at Ecobuild.

The Nottingham HOUSE (Home Optimising the Use of Solar Energy) has been designed and built by a team of students from the SBE as part of their entry into the first International Solar Decathlon Europe competition to design, build and operate Europe's most attractive, effective and energy-efficient zero carbon solar powered house.

The finished house will make its debut at Ecobuild en route to the final, which takes place in Madrid in June 2010.

Ecobuild is the biggest showcase of sustainable construction products in the world. Over 1000 suppliers include: Schueco; Vaillant; Daikin; Knauf Insulation; BASF; Dupont; Rockwool; Alcoa; CEMEX; Sika; Aggregate Industries, Mitsubishi Electric; Trespa; the Energy Saving Trust; EDF Energy; Dow Corning; Baxi Heating; Ideal Heating; Plumb Center; ACO Technologies; Velux; FakroDanfoss Heat Pumps; Xtratherm; H+H; Armstrong World Industries and Schott.

Ecobuild takes place on 2-4 March at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London.