Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 462,935 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,243 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,972 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,243 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,972 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,215 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 462,935 cutting edge ideas.

Backyard Solar Foundries

This DIY Foundry Uses the Sun to Generate Heat and Melt Metal

— May 22, 2013 — Eco
This DIY Solar Foundry is able to generate heat like a super-sized version of the magnifying glasses kids use to burn things using just the power of the sun.

User 'Green Power Science' has created a step-by-step guide to assembling your very own solar-powered foundry for the Instructables Green Design Contest. This eco-invention is designed for backyard metalworking and uses the heat of the sun instead of an open flame to manipulate metals.

The unit is able to track the sun's position throughout the day and use the concentrated beam of heat delivered from the sun to reach temperatures of up to 3,812 degrees Fahrenheit. When there are clouds in the sky, the tracker feature shuts off to avoid wasting energy. This sustainable design is an incredible example of the untapped potential of solar power.
Trend Themes
1. DIY Solar Foundries - There is a growing interest in DIY solar foundries as more environmentally-conscious consumers opt for sustainable solutions for their backyard metalworking needs.
2. Solar Energy Innovations for Industrial Applications - The successful implementation of an eco-friendly foundry using solar power has opened up opportunities for the development of green solutions in industrial applications.
3. Advancements in Solar Tracking Technology - The development of solar trackers that can efficiently harness solar energy for industrial use is a disruptive innovation opportunity for renewable energy companies.
Industry Implications
1. Metalworking Industry - The metalworking industry can incorporate eco-friendly approaches like DIY solar foundries to reduce their carbon footprint and leverage renewable energy sources.
2. Renewable Energy Industry - The successful adoption of an eco-friendly foundry powered by the sun provides opportunities for the renewable energy industry to innovate and scale-up their solar technologies.
3. Manufacturing Industry - The development of solar-powered foundries for industrial applications is a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies in the manufacturing industry to adopt sustainable norms and reduce their environmental impact.
2.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness