One of the easiest ways to fight global warming is by implementing clean power sources, and photovoltaic solar cells are an increasingly popular choice on this list. After all, sunlight is free, abundant and consistent--especially if you live in a temperate climate.
These solar inventions range from silly to dead serious. It seems that everything from handbags to canopies, curtains and loungers can be slapped with photovoltaic solar cells to make them more eco-friendly and help stave off global warming. There are even solar panels that you can literally peel and stick onto your home, just like a large bumper sticker.
Wearing a handbag with solar cells on it to the mall won't necessarily take you right off the power grid, but this relatively small statement does help to raise awareness about global warming. If you want to make a bigger impact, try a solar panel vehicle or install solar paving around your home.
These 37 inventions all utilize solar cell technology in some form. In the fight against global warming, every energy-efficient effort counts--no matter how large or small it is.
37 Solar Inventions to Fight Global Warming
36
Super Hybrid Cars
Antro Solo is Solar, Human & Gas-Electric
35
Peel & Stick Solar Panels
Lumeta PowerPly
34
Chic Solar Bags
Noon Solar Collection
33
Eco Solar Cars
The Brisa Three Wheeler
32
Solar Powered Air-Conditioning
Greencore
31
Solar Skin Cell Phones
Eclipse Intuit
30
Solar Powered Lingerie
Taiyoko Hatsuden Bra
29
Solar Power For Mainstream Cars
Toyota Prius Hybrid Gets Solar Roof
28
Solar Panel Handbags
Solar by C'N'C Costume
27
Solar Power Yachts
The Volitan
26
Solar-Powered Bikes
The Cycle Sol Bicycle
25
Green Japanese Cities
Sakai City Waterfront Mega Solar Power Generation Plan
24
Green Energy Producing Canopies
Cobra Solar Shades
23
Solar Powered BBQ
The Helios Grill
22
Solar Powered Tree Chargers
The Photonsynthese
21
Solar Powered Loungers
The Tech Chair
20
Solar Cells on Portable Devices
New Apple Patent Promises Green Gadgets
19
Photovoltaic Rooftop Waves
The Solar Wave Pavilion by Michael Jantzen
18
Recycled Solar Bags
Sakku Bags Made From Sails
17
Teenie Tiny Solar Powered Cars
The Mini Solar Racer
16
Air Cleansing Concrete
Solar Activated Eco Paving
15
Solar Powered Ferris Wheels
New Santa Monica Pier Wheel
14
Curtains as Solar Energy Collectors
The Soft House Project
13
Eco-Friendly Mobile Coolers
Solar-Powered Fridges on Camels
12
Solar Powered Bus Stop Ads
Fuel Miami LLC i-Shelters
11
Round-the-World Green Flights
Solar-Cell Hy-Bird
10
Solar-Powered Cars Inspired by Vacuums
Dyson Powered Eco-Vehicle
9
Mini Eco Chargers
Solar Charger Keyring
8
Solar-Powered Highways
Oregon's Renewable Energy Project
7
Solar Car Carriers
Toyota Cargo Ships Go Green
6
Solar Tables 3
SOLo Lounge Table
5
Solar-Powered Wineries
Far Niente
4
Solar-Powered Retail Stores
Wal-Mart Canada
3
A Plant With Solar Cells
The Latest Japanese Breakthrough
2
Solar Powered Planes
QinetiQ Zephyr Breaks World Record
1
Estimates The Solar Potential Of Your Roof
RoofRay
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Solar Energy-Capturing Tents
The Jackery LightTent-AIR Has its Own Eco Energy System
Sunlight-Evoking Plant Systems
Yechan Choi Designs the Equinox Light to Control Indoor Lighting
Solar-Ready Portable Power Banks
The GoSun Power 266 Has a Highly Mobile Design
Power-Capturing Backpacks
The COOPH HelioFlex Has a Modular Construction and Charges Devices
Personal Air Conditioners
The Silen Cicada is Designed to Cool Users Down During Hot Weather
Origami Travel Solar Panels
Sego Innovations Offers Tech for Powering Farther Off the Grid
Solar-Powered Curtain Controllers
The SwitchBot Curtain 3 Self-Charges in Low Light Conditions
Long-Lasting Portable Power Stations
The Growatt VITA 550 Fully Charges via Solar in 2.5-Hours
Flatpack Virtual Fireplaces
The Graphene Radiator Has Heats Up and Displays Holographic Flames
Solar-Powered Skincare Tools
Omni Hiraya Launched a Unique 24-Karat Gold Plated Facial Gua Sha
Beer-Cooling Billboards
This Heineken Billboard Chills Beer with Solar Energy
Powerful Solar Generators
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is Versatile and Trustworthy
Solar-Powered Smartwatches
This Smartwatch Doesn't Require Battery Charging With Adequate Sunlight
Compact Portable Power Stations
Volcan Creative's Futuristic Power Station is Trustworthy
Artistic Lamppost EV Chargers
The Voltpost Provides Easy Access to EV Charging
Energy-Producing Furniture Designs
The yA-18 STOOL by Beomseok Chae Features Solar Panels
Plant-Powered Air Purifiers
The 'Flora' Decorative Air Purifier is Made with Natural Materials
Wireless Solar-Powered Lights
Lund University Students Explore the Benefits of Solar Power
Solar-Powered Water Purifiers
The Stil Water Purifier Leverages the Sun's Energy
Digitized Gas Lamp Lanterns
The Conceptual 'AUGE' Camping Lantern Modernizes a Classic
Self-Closing Smartphone Mounts
The Smart Car Life 'Marvo' Solar Smartphone Charger Streamlines Use
Vehicular Shipping Container Homes
The Conceptual Jeep Container Home Supports Off-Grid Living
Immersive Solar-Powered Installations
Marjan van Aubel & Lexus Unveil the 8 Minutes and 20 Seconds
Sustainable EV Toys
Little Tikes’ Cozy Coupe Aims to Get Families Thinking More Sustainably
Breakthrough Graphene Batteries
NASA's Work on Project Sabers is Extremely Important
Scalable Eco Energy Systems
The ALLPOWERS R3500 Smart Energy Kit Reduces Electricity Costs
Convention-Challenging AC Campaigns
Samsung's WindFree Ad Stars a Savvy Grandma-Fluencer
Anti-Greenwashing Soap Ads
Navigating Eco-Consumer Irony with Better Climate Store's "Greenwash"
Car-Incorporated Air Purifiers
The New Panasonic Nanoe X Air Purifier Filters Pollutants
Origami-Inspired Solar Panels
The Levante Origami Solar Panel is 50% Lighter Than Alternatives
Solar-Powered Robotic Lawnmowers
The SunScout Pro Robot Lawnmower Has RTK-GNSS Navigation
Electricity-Free Beer Fridges
The Bud Ground Cooler Needs No Electricity to Run in Hot Weather
Street Lamp Charging Stations
The 'EVIE' Lamppost EV Charger Maximizes Power Access
Mood-Enhancing Car Air Purifiers
The Conceptual 'FRI' Air Purifier Has a 3D-Printed Design
Carbon-Absorbing Street Murals
Volkswagen Canada Lauched a Pollution-Eating Mural in Toronto
Solar-Powered Water Purifiers
The 'Stil' Water Purifier by Hans Ramzan is Sustainable
Alternative Energy Illuminators
The IKEA x Little Sun 'SAMMANLÄNKAD' Collection is Elegant
Solar-Powered Electric Motorbikes
Solar Scooters' 'E-Clipse 2' Has Free Charging via Solar Power
Furniture-Like Solar Panels
The ES 30W Solar Panel Captures Power and Works as a Table
Eco-Friendly Bio-Composite Roof Tiles
Studio SKLIM's Lo-Hi Tech Project with Solar Paneling
Solar Powered Wireless Speakers
Urbanista Designs the New Waterproof Malibu Speakers
Miniature Air Purifier Robots
Sang il Shin Designs the Small PLANI Robot Concept
Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle Systems
Layer Designs the Croft System to Sustainably Power Vehicles
Solar Panel-Paired Rooftop Tents
The Jackery Solar Generator for Rooftop Tent is at CES 2024
Sustainably Designed Timepieces
The Majestik Solar Watch Passively Captures Energy
Solar-Powered Charging Robots
The Conceptual Solar Mars Bot Provides Power to Charge Up Solutions
Soft Sustainable Coolers
Out of the Woods Makes Reusable Bags Made from Supernatural Paper
Electric Solar-Powered Campers
Lightship designs the L1 Trailer with Futuristic Elements
Battery-Powered Outdoor Appliances
The BLUETTI SwapSolar Ecosystem Features Three Products
Durable Heated Winter Gloves
The Asmart Heated Gloves Warm Hands Using Infrared Technology
Thermoregulating Graphene Blankets
HILU Design's Blanket Seeks to Enhance the Comfort of Sleepers
Balcony-Ready Solar Power Systems
This EcoFlow PowerStream System Generates Ample Energy
Modular Solar-Chargeable Power Banks
The 'Veryeah' Power Solution is Expandable and Sustainable
Sizable Solar Panel Pavilions
V8 Architects & Marjan Van Aubel Studio Build an Installation
Solar-Powered GPS Navigators
The Garmin eTrex Solar Has a Compact, Handheld Construction
Tree-Inspired Solar Panel Systems
The SolarBotanic Energy Tree Works in Public or Private Spaces
Direct-to-Consumer Hydropanels
Source Global Seeks to Answer Impending Resource Depletion
Solar-Powered Autonomous Vehicles
The 'Ada' Autonomous Vehicle Concept is Passively Charged
Portable Solar Generator Systems
The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro Has a Quick-Charging Build
Solar-Powered Electric Boats
This Boat's Batteries are Powered With the Help Of Solar Panels
Solar-Powered Rover Kits
4M's 'Solar Rover Kit' Educates Kids About the Power of Green Science
Self-Cooling Outdoor Tents
Researchers Help Keep Campers Cool with Temperature-Regulating Tents
Ultra-Thin Solar Panel Coatings
Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics Develop a Coating
Functional Bidirectional Chargers
SolarEdge Debuts a New Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charger
Solar-Powered City Cars
Squad Mobility's SQUAD Car is a CES 2023 Innovation
Self-Cooling Homes
Samira Rathod Intends to Protect Occupants from Hot Indian Summers
Water-Producing Air Purifiers
The 'TapFresh' Air-to-Water Converter Also Purifies the Air
Energy-Hauling Battery Tankers
This Japanese Tanker Can Transport Surplus Renewable Energy
Efficient Home Electrification Platforms
Helio Home Helps Consumers Go Carbon Neutral
Folding Solar Power Panels
The 'DEXPOLE' Solar Power Bank Has a 24,000mAh Capacity
Food Preservation Fridges
Beko's HarvestFresh Technology Mimics the 24-Hour Sun Cycle
Innovative Solar Movement Watches
TAG Heuer Releases the Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph
Solar Rainwater-Storing Roofs
Researchers in the Netherlands are Developing 'Blue-Green Roofs'
Solar-Powered Security Cameras
The Alphahom Solar Camera Has a Self-Sufficient Design
Solar-Powered Glow-in-the-Dark Hats
The Vollebak Solar Charged Hat Glows for Greater Safety
Off-Grid Solar-Powered Generators
The Jackery 1500 Solar Generator Pro Offers Sustainable Energy
Exceptionally Efficient Solar Cells
These Saudi-Made Solar Cells Use Groundbreaking Materials
Botanical Heat-Activated Sunscreens
Shiseido Ultimate Sunscreen Comes in Two Options
Sporty Solar Watch Designs
Diesel Recently Launched Its First Solar Watch Line
App-Connected Power Stations
The Flexsolar FP100 Portable Power Station Weighs in at 18.7-Pounds
Colored Glass Solar Panels
inQs Beautiful Solar Panels Look Like Stain Glass
Rejuvenated Former Bank Buildings
This Dutch Building Now Boasts Solar Panels & Insect Hotels
Futuristic Fusion Power Plants
This Power Plant Will Efficiently Contribute to the Electrical Grid
Eco-Friendly Adventurer Headlamps
The Coleman PEAK1 Headlamp Supports Solar Charging
User-Friendly Solar Panels
Kunal Girotra Introduces the Sustainable Lunar Energy System
Modular Solar Battery Systems
Anker Unveils the New Solix Home Energy Storage System
Sun-Mimicking Smart Fridges
Defy's NatureLight Technology Extends the Shelf Life of Stored Food
Adaptive Interior EV Models
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric Has a Solarbay Panoramic Roof
Hyper-Efficient Thermal Batteries
These Carbon Batteries Can Store & Transmit Clean Energy
Origami-Inspired Solar Panels
Sego Innovations Develops a New Foldable and Portable Solar Panel
Climate Crisis-Fighting Glasses
Paradigm Eyewear Launched Its ISCC-Certified Winter Collection
Sleek Solar-Powered Headphones
The New adidas RPT-02 SOL Headphones are Powered by Sunlight
Zero-Emission Solar-Powered Aircrafts
The Falcon Horizon by Laszlo Nemeth Runs on Solar Power
Sunlight-Mimicking Panelled Lamps
The New Sunne Lamp by Sunne is Powered by Solar Energy
Versatile Heating Blankets
SweetNight Launched Its Latest Wearable Blanket with Heating Element
Battery Recycling Solutions
Gisele Azimi Experiments with Captured Carbon Dioxide
Disaster-Prepared Electric Vans
Japanese Automaker HW Electro Unveils a Solar-Powered Electric Van
Battery-Ready E-Boilers
The BOLT Electric Boiler is Revolutionizing Home Heating and Hot Water
Alternative Copper Solar Panels
SunDrive is Creating Solar Panels with No Silver Included
Updated Sustainable API Features
Google Adds New Features to its Ingenious Project Sunroof
Solar-Powered Food Trucks
Planted Unveiled a Sustainable Food Truck for a Tour Across the UK
E-Bike Charging Partnerships
BikeFlex Partnered with Solarcycle on Renewable Bike Charging
Petite Solar-Powered EVs
The 'Buggy' is a Micro Vehicle That Offers Comfortably Compact Motoring
Consolidated Photovoltaic Systems
The 'Vitovolt 300' Can Power Homes, Buildings, Vehicles and More
Microwave Pest-Killing Systems
This Soil Heating System Can Curb Pests Without Harmful Pesticides
Eco-Friendly Cafe Vehicles
This Conceptual Solar-Powered Coffee Truck Operates Anywhere
Solar-Powered Bike Deliveries
IKEA Rolls Out Deliveries in the Netherlands with the SunRider
3D Solar Panel Modules
The TIPA Design is Made with a Chamber of Mirrors to Maximize Energy
Portable Solar-Powered Light
The MEGAPUFF is Designed with Multiple Custom Features
Sustainable Future Contests
The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest Empowers Young Minds
Beetle-Inspired Sustainable Planters
The Fog Smart Hydroponic Planter Leans on Biomimicry
Flexible Solar Film Energy
Heliatek and Solar Cloth Design the New HeliaFilm Panel
Thermoregulating Car Cloaks
The 'Janus' Cloak Helps Protect Car Batteries From Temperature Swings
Circular Sustainable Apparel
The PANGEA Mangrove Sunglasses Help Fund the Mangrove Cleanup
Powerful All-Electric Solar Trailers
Living Vehicle Designs the 2024 HD Trailer on Solar Power
Floating Solar Power Plants
This French Power Plant Will Deliver Clean Energy to 2,000 Homes
Excess Solar Energy Transitions
Tesla Launches the New Charge on Solar Electric Feature
Climate Change-Combatting Seaweed Farms
Amazon Unveils a New Ocean Seaweed Farming Solution
LED-Wrapped Airport Renovations
Prague's Airport is Getting a Sustainable and High-Tech Update
Lunar Material-Based Solar Cells
Blue Origin Creates Solar Cells that are Made from Lunar Dust
Food Can Foil Seals
The Eviosys 'Ecopeel' Reduces Carbon Emissions for Canned Foods
Wireless Charging Solutions
Freepower Turns Any Surface into a Charging Station
Efficient Virtual Power Plants
These Battery-Swap Stations Are Contributing to the Electrical Grid
Smart Glass Coating Materials
'Albotherm' Offers a Glass Coating that can Automatically Adjust
Low-Heat Battery Power Stations
The 70mai Tera 1000 Has an Aluminum Heatsink
Sunlight-Reflecting Paints
Stanford University Researchers Develop an Innovative Color Paint
Next-Gen Solar-Powered Headphones
Urbanista Los Angeles Over-Ear Headphones Have Powerfoyle
Solar Panel Angle Calculators
The Solar Angle Calculator Shows the Optimal Position
Durable Home Battery Systems
The Tesla Powerwall 3 Shows Off Water Resistance
Green Energy-Delivering Ships
This Revolutionary Ship Can Deliver Clean Energy to Vessels At Port
Climate-Friendly Waterfront Homes
From 4 to 1 Creates Three Pavilions in Copenhagen
Dynamic Interactive Lighting Installations
Zava Designs a New Light and Metal Installation
Space-Grade Light Panels
SAGA Reveals Circadian Light Panel for the International Space Station
Heritage Building-Blending Solar Panels
Dyaqua Designs the New Invisible Solar Panels
Provocative Eco Screensavers
Planet-Saving Screen Savers Encourage Switching Off Devices
Solar-Powered Heated Seats
The GoSun Solar Seat Offers Warmth on Cold Days
Futuristic Wave Energy Plants
This Plant Can Harness Marine Energy to Produce Green Hydrogen
Solar-Powered Vineyard Buildings
This Vineyard's Visitor Center Will Benefit From Solar Arrays
Heat-Managing Insulated Rooms
Tim Adams' Climate Safe Rooms Combats Australia's Heat
Environmental EV Air Purifiers
The Audi Urban Purifier Cleans the Surrounding Cityscape