"The Solar Decathlon is a competition for university schools of engineering and architecture to design, from the ground up, a solar-powered, high efficiency, self-sustaining house," says Solar Decathlon Director Richard King.

This was the fourth contest since 2002 and it is estimated that, over the years, more than 10,000 students have participated in the Solar Decathlon. This particular competition drew 20 teams from as far away as Spain and Germany. This is where mind meets muscle because the challenge is to both design and construct a "zero energy" home, meaning a home that produces as much solar energy as it consumes.

Discovered at:National Science Foundation, Solar Decathlon Full Story