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Home technology, energy efficiency and a unique perspective on homebuilding are what set students apart in this year’s Solar Decathlon.

Since 2002, students from colleges all over the world have competed to build the best solar powered home. Fourteen teams entered Solar Decathlon 2015 in early October. Stevens Institute of Technology nabbed the top spot for its hurricane-proof “Sure House,” which TecHome Builder recently highlighted.

Students designed and tested the homes at their respective colleges. They were then shipped to Irvine, Calif., where the teams had 10 days to reassemble and prepare the homes to compete.

The overall winner is decided based on 10 categories, such as architecture, market appeal, communications, appliances and energy balance.

“One of the greatest aspects of the competition was learning how other schools from around the world addressed problems and used similar or completely new technologies,” says Lisa-Marie Mueller, co-project manager for Cal Poly Tech.

A twist was added to this year’s competition to address the growing trend of electric vehicles. Each home was required to have an in-home car charger that can supply adequate power.

We take a look at the top seven placed teams and discover what lessons builders can learn from the design, construction and efficient tech inside these homes.

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[tps_title] Stevens Institute of Technology [/tps_title]

1. Stevens Institute of Technology

Stevens’ Sure House was awarded the first place prize, after scoring a total score of 950 out of a possible 1000.

This home was designed to be hurricane-proof. It uses solar storm shutters to collect power and board up the home from rising flood waters. The Sure House also has sensors that monitor moisture and behavior to create the ideal temperature and safeguard against any potential water damage.

Using passive house measures and a 32-panel solar array, the Sure House has been engineered to use 91 percent less energy than the average New Jersey home. This results in a net zero design.