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The University of Maryland's “WaterShed” won the 2011 Solar Decathlon. The school from College Park, Maryland competed against 18 other collegiate teams to build an aesthetically pleasing, architecturally innovative and well-engineered energy efficient living space that generates its energy from solar power.

Secretary Chu visited the 2011 Solar Decathlon to hear from students about their energy-efficient, solar powered homes. Watch the video!

The Solar Village has been open to the public on the National Mall’s West Potomac Park for seven days now, which means the 2011 Solar Decathlon is fully underway.

Clouds, rain, thunderstorms… at Solar Decathlon Village? Oh my, you may say. But less-than-ideal weather conditions are no match for this year's teams, thanks to smart grid technology that is helping them monitor their energy consumption.

Two teams tied for first place in the first-ever Affordability Contest at the 2011 Solar Decathlon -- demonstrating that innovative technology doesn’t have to be expensive.

At the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., a new type of neighborhood has taken shape. The solar village is on full display with highly-efficient, solar-powered homes on every block.

The New School for Design and Stevens Institute of Technology 2011 Solar Decathlon team is partnering with D.C. community members and Habitat for Humanity to build an energy efficient home that will be moved to the Deanwood neighborhood of Washington, D.C. following the competition.

An energetic group of university students from New Zealand to North Carolina are a huge draw at this year’s International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Florida. The students are preparing for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon – a competition that challenges 20 collegiate teams to construct and operate solar-powered homes that incorporate energy-saving designs.