The Top 7 Amazing Solar-Powered Technologies

At PureSky Energy, day in and day out we’re in deep, thinking of large community solar or our battery storage projects, not as much about the other uses for solar, the other ways we can use in our daily lives. We’re working on doing better. And in spirit of that effort, we’ve come up with a list of some incredibly innovative and admittedly cool gadgets and technologies that are solar-powered and pushing the boundaries. It’s not an exhaustive list, so if you want us to add something, just reach out and we’ll put it on the list.

1. Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers Powered by the Sun

From smartwatches to fitness trackers, wearables have just entered the next stratosphere of what you can track but also the technology powering these amazing devices. Not only have batteries become much more efficient and long-lasting - Garmin claims some of their watches last 11 days - but some of them are now using solar power to charge throughout the day. Garmin has several product lines, but other companies such as Suunto and even Fossil have solar power watches.

2. Headphones That Never Die (If You’re Outside)

Now there are even some solar powered Bluetooth headphones on the market such as Urbanista’s. I can imagine that this is more suitable to outdoor use rather than indoor use. If you’re someone who exercises outside a great deal, then the idea of unlimited battery life has its benefits.

3. Solar-Powered Chargers

Solar powered chargers have been around for many years and backpackers or campers may have been some of the earliest adopters. Those earlier models took a long time to charge and had to be positioned just right. But now, with solar panel technology becoming increasingly more efficient, it takes far less time to charge than before. Chargers have also become easier to use. Instead of panel, you can now buy a backpack equipped with built-in solar panels, or even a small solar panel you can mount to your window to charge your phone.

4. Drones That Can Fly Indefinitely

Drones have become indispensable tools for various industries, from agriculture to filmmaking but they struggle with poor battery life. Many solar-powered versions can extend the battery life, but the energy required far outstrips the amount the solar the solar panels can generate. As you miniaturize the drones, the power from solar panels also decreases.

However, some scientists have created a drone that weighs only 4 grams and uses electro-static propulsion, a type of motor that NASA is exploring for extended space missions. It’s not quite market-ready yet, but it promises a world in which charging your drone will be a faint memory.

5. Solar Powered Outdoor Lights

To me, solar powered outdoor lights should now be the standard, and perhaps is old news for many of you. What has become more interesting in the last while is the variety available. Not just your camping flashlight anymore, but the sheer range of styles and use cases from your old-timey lantern to sleek, fence-mounted lights.

6. Smart Bike Locks

There’s a smart bike lock on the market called Lattis that can unlock your bike as you approach it through a Bluetooth link to your phone. There’s a keypad in case your phone is out of battery or unavailable. If someone is tampering with your bike, it can send an alert to your phone warning of possible danger of theft. As a solar-power device, it doesn’t run out of battery. If you lock your bike up inside, you can use a USB charger. Perhaps it’s best feature, is letting your loved ones know if you were in an accident.\

7. Powering the Space Station with Solar

So this one is not really for everyday life but makes it to the top of the list of just plain amazing. The International Space Station is powered by basketball court-sized solar arrays, which they call blankets, and large batteries, with the system originally installed in 2009. A few years ago, NASA started an upgrade of some of the solar arrays to new materials and design, and the batteries were swapped out for newer models. The new design rolls out instead of folding and is smaller but generates the same amount of power.  This is testament to how solar technology is advancing.

These seven innovations are just a glimpse of what’s possible when solar power is harnessed to its full potential. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more exciting and sustainable products to emerge, all powered by the endless energy of the sun. From providing clean water to driving cars, solar power is revolutionizing the way we live—and the coolest part is, this is just the beginning.

Note: we do not endorse any of the brands listed in the article. We use them purely as examples of some of the amazing technology out there powered by solar.