For countless cultures throughout history, the sun was an integral part of their daily lives and they recognized its influence over all things.
Perhaps we can take some time to reflect on that star that graces our solar system, and creatively tap into its potential using new and fun technologies.
Take a look at our list of 19 Cool and Unusual Solar Gadgets.
- Solar Powered Necktie
Admittedly a bit goofy looking, photovoltaic clothing could be the wave of the future. Imaging smaller, more fashionable cells integrated throughout your entire wardrobe. Every person would be a walking, miniature power-plant, harvesting the sun’s energy through everyday activities! - Solar Lampion
Resembling something like an Oriental lantern, the solar lampion hangs during the day and shines at night. 36 small solar panels form the helix-like structure of the lamp. Neat! - Odysseus – Solar Powered Flying Wing
This contraption from Aurora is the Odysseus, a solar powered flying wing that cruises around the stratosphere for up to 5 years on solar power alone. The vehicle is unmanned and designed to gather intelligence, surveillance and recon data. Essentially, this is for all intents and purposes a solar powered, low orbit satellite. - Lifeport
With the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles and hybrids on the road, solar power is beginning to look like a viable alternative to fossil fuel for the average consumer. The Lifeport is a DIY kit that creates a clean closed energy system for your electric vehicles. Now it will certainly power your electric car, but it could also potentially power your home – with an output if 4.8 mwh per year, it generates a bit more power than the average household uses. You’d actually be putting energy back into the grid! - Solar Bonsai Tree
Create and design your own, solar powered gadget dock. Braches are assembled and connect to form a tree resembling a Chinese bonsai. A planter cover pulls away to reveal where all your gadgets’ cables are stored. Zen-like, and environmentally friendly! [ Via ] - Glowing Plant Pot
Powered by a small, tethered, photovoltaic cell, this glowing plant pot charges by day and generates an ambient, color changing glow by night. With the right outdoor decorator, this could be pretty hip. It’s currently available for around 40 dollars. [ Via ] - Solar Powered Toothbrush
Is toothpaste going to be made obsolete? Yes, according to the team behind the solar powered toothbrush. A solar panel at the top of the brush emits electrons which fight plaque. Neat! - Military’s Solar Spy Bat
The military is currently developing this solar powered surveillance bat. When completed, it will be fully autonomous and able to report back real time surveillance data. - Sunflower Solar Power Station
A small solar power station for the masses! The Sunflower is designed to sit in your home or office, and provide juice to your devices through three standard power sockets. The organic-influenced design is particularly intriguing. - Solar Snow Tow Robot
This droid-like solar box harnesses the sun to drag people and supplies across the Polar Regions, where daylight can last much longer during most of the year. Given that it’s very hard to get fuel and other energy sources to these regions, solar power could be a huge boon to research and development there. - Solar Powered Medi-Camel
Yes, that’s a camel with a mounted solar panel on its back. No, it’s not a cyborg camel. The panel powers a small refrigerator to maintain the temperature of heat-sensitive vaccines, allowing them to distribute them to farther, more remote places that normally wouldn’t have access to these medicines. What else can we say, except that necessity is the mother of invention. - Czeers MK1 – Solar SpeedboatThis sleek vessel is the Czeers MK1; a speedboat that can travel up to 30 knots (roughly 35 mph) and looks like it just splashed out of the most recent James Bond film. Granted, there are faster boats in the water, but you’re also not paying for expensive fuel anymore, either. For many boating enthusiasts, this could be right up their alley.
- The Flow – Solar and Wind Power for the Home
Why limit yourself to harnessing only one force of nature when there are so many readily available to you? The Flow does just that by combining 6 photovoltaic cells mounted atop a wind generator. The design is really slick, but the idea is to give people a path to affordable, renewable energy in their backyard. The Flow sits high in the air, on top of a tall pole, harvesting all available energy. Let’s hope this comes into production soon! - Solar Powered Rollerblading George Bush Chariot
- SUNN - solar powered electric car kit
If you dream of owning an electric car to drive about town, then the SUNN EV car kit might be for you. The vehicle is street legal and will take up to 5 days to assemble, but once pieced together you can get a top speed of 25 mph (admittedly, only good for some areas) and a range of up to 37 miles. Not to bad for $4,500.
[ Via ] - Le Projet Triangle
This building, scheduled to begin construction in 2014 in Paris, is not just unusual for it’s shape, but for what the building can do. Because of its unusual design it will not cast shadows on surrounding buildings, and it will harvest most of its energy from the sun. It’s a modern marvel of engineering that’s sure to stun! - The Aptera Typ-1
If you haven’t heard of the Aptera yet, you will not be able to forget it now. The three wheeled vehicle (which actually legally classifies as a motorcycle) was designed from the ground up for maximum fuel efficiency. Solar panels on the top power all the internals, including constant temperature monitoring; so that when it’s cold outside, you’ll step into a nice, warm vehicle, or vice versa.The 300 mpg vehicle (yes, you read that correctly) has received a lot of hype, and subsequently, a lot of support with major financial backing coming from companies like Google. Word has it, you might even see the futurist vehicle appear in the J.J. Abrams Star Trek remake, but fortunately, you won’t have to wait centuries into the future to get one. Aptera is currently taking reservations now. [ Via ]
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