Finding energy efficient ways of generating power is becoming more and more important, with the growing threat of global warming and climate change. Converting sunlight energy into electricity is an effective way of generating power and is used in many industries including technology, architecture and even fashion. We often see solar panels on the outside of houses but because solar power can be costly, we rarely see solar panels used elsewhere.
To show you just how versatile solar energy is, the team at Solarspot have brought you this list of unusual uses for solar power. These unique inventions demonstrate the amazing potential of solar energy, and show how solar power could pioneer technology in the future.

Backpacks
There are various accessories that have solar attachments so they can generate power whilst on the move. Solar backpacks contain a flexible monocrystalline solar panel which can be used to power equipment. They’re popular with hikers and also with international aid and disaster relief teams, who can use these backpacks in emergency scenarios.

Umbrella
Solar umbrellas are an amazing source of outdoor lighting, often found at pool sides in hotels. Because of their large surface area and the amount of exposure they get to the sun, the solar panels on their surface can collect a substantial amount of power during the daytime and provide a great source of light in the evening.

Cars
Whilst electric cars are becoming increasingly popular, engineers have also been experimenting with the idea of solar cars. Solar cars are vehicles with solar panels installed in their roof which powers the vehicle either partially or entirely. There have been several versions of the solar car that run successfully, however because of the hefty running costs, it’s unlikely that solar cars will become mainstream anytime soon.

Planes
The Solar Impulse 2, a plane that runs on solar power, made history for being the first plane to fly around the world without using fuel. The wings are covered with 17,000 solar panels which can gather enough energy during the day for night-time flying. This invention pushed the boundaries of solar power and demonstrates the potential of energy-efficient travel for the future.

Bins
Bigbelly bin units use solar power to compact the litter that is put inside and make room for more waste. This technology allows rubbish bins to hold 8x more litter than a normal bin, with a capacity of 567 litres. This is a great development for local councils, as it can help to prevent bins from overflowing and also reduce expenditure on emptying bins.

Paint
One of the more recent breakthroughs in solar energy, is solar paint. A coat of this paint is able to collect energy from both sunlight and moisture, as the paint can split water into hydrogen and oxygen and use the hydrogen as power. Although it’s not currently commercially available, hopefully in the future clean technology will be so accessible to us that we can literally paint it onto surfaces.

Swimming goggles
Tracking your speed and distance whilst running is easy using today’s technology. Swimming however can be slightly more difficult. That was until Joh Minhoo from Yanko Design designed the innovative ‘my pace’ swimming goggles which, powered by solar energy, come integrated with an LCD panel which will show you information on your swim. An amazing breakthrough for sports technology.

While solar power has great potential in the future, solar energy for your home is here now, and can save you thousands of dollars. Give the solar experts at Solar Electric Texas a call today to see how solar power can benefit you and your home!