They are the Formula One race cars of solar technology; sleek, innovative and pushing the edge.

For two years the students have conceptualized, experimented and then designed homes that can fully run on just solar power for four days.

Richard King is the director of the Solar Decathalon. He said the projects mission is to "convince the public and teach the public that solar energy is here today."

In the decathlon, students compete in 10 different categories of solar and green design. They also have to power an electric car.

A team from the University of Maryland created the leaf home. They said the leaf is nature's great energy converter.

Crowds touring the leaf house learned it is designed to live in harmony with the Chesapeake Bay.

In addition to the solar power, it also has a sophisticated water recycling system that includes a green wall outside and a soil filtration system for all the sinks.

There's also a water wall. It uses calcium chloride to pull humidity from the air, so the air conditioning doesn't have to work so hard.

The homes are small, 500 to 800 square feet. Most of the competitors come from American universities, but this year, Germany, Spain, Canada and Puerto Rico are contenders.

The solar decathlon started in 2002. This is its third year and organizers said you can really see the evolution of solar design and technology.

The long lines to get into this exhibit also reveal the growing public interest in this alternative energy. Organizers said the energy is waiting for them. All they have to do is follow the sun.