How solar decathletes have helped create your high-tech home

Filmed, edited and produced by Lindsay Hahn for The Denver Post.

Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Solar Decathlon is a contest that challenges student teams to design and build full-size, solar powered houses. Since its inception in 2002, hundreds of thousands of curious consumers and homeowners have flocked to the solar villages to learn about the future of energy-efficient, sustainable homes.

More impressive than the cutting-edge technologies involved though? The innovative students behind them.