In order to promote the development of the zero-energy buildings, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is held biennially, in which every team is required to design, build and operate an energy-efficient house powered by the sun. This paper is focused on the innovative passive design in the Solar Decathlon 2011 in following five categories: the indoor and outdoor space, the envelop, the ecological system as well as the shading structure. Based on the case studies, it is suggested that the solar house is emphasizing more flexible living space, the multifunctional envelop and the ecological landscape.