A solar home project bound for the Vancouver Winter Olympics is the brainchild of more than 100 Calgary students, faculty and staff at post-secondary institutions. (University of Calgary photo)

A solar home built by a team led by Calgary students will be showcased in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The team includes more than 100 students, faculty and staff who have been working on the solar home project for more than two years.

They are from:

• The University of Calgary.
• SAIT Polytechnic.
• Mount Royal University.
• The Alberta College of Art and Design.

"Having the opportunity to feature our home during the 2010 Winter Olympics is absolutely phenomenal for the team," said Mark Blackwell, chair of the Alberta Solar Decathlon Project. "With a major focus of the Games being on sustainability, we are proud to represent Canada and Alberta in showcasing — to an international audience — a solar home that truly encapsulates that message."

A celebration on Thursday marked the home's completion as the project got it's first public showing and official sendoff to Washington, D.C., for the Solar Decathlon.

"Our team has been working very long days to complete the home and test all its systems," said project manager Matt Beck. "We still have a few things left to do, but we’re confident our design and technologies will impress the judges and visitors."

Western Economic Diversification is funding Team Alberta to take the home on tractor-trailers to Washington and then directly to Vancouver.

In June, ENMAX Corporation became title sponsor of the custom-built, 850-square-foot home, which uses solar energy for both heat and power.

In Washington, upwards of 200,000 visitors are expected to tour the "solar village" being created in the National Mall. The top three teams will be announced Oct. 16.