2017 brought the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon to Denver, with the team from Switzerland taking home the top prize as the overall winner. The biennial event involves teams from colleges around the world that battle to create the most innovative full-sized, solar-powered homes imaginable.

The Swiss team took first place in six of the 10 contests by which teams are judged, including the inaugural water contest, which looks for smart water solutions in conservation, reclamation and reuse, and landscaping.

The aquaponic vegetable garden shown above is one of a number of innovations included in the Swiss team's house. The system features an aquarium with fish who live in the same water used to water the vegetables.