People around the globe are bearing the brunt of global warming and depletion of non-renewable resources, making it crucial for us to come up with sustainable solutions that minimize our carbon footprint and greenhouse emissions. Harnessing renewable sources of energy, namely sunlight, water, and wind can significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, producing clean energy that is free of harmful emissions. If you want to contribute to the planet, the best way to do is also by owning a solar generator.
With 173 thousand terawatts of solar energy striking our planet each year, solar energy is the largest source of renewable and clean energy for mankind. This energy source offers ten-thousand times the energy required by people worldwide. Because of its real potential for replacing fossil fuels and fostering a green future, solar energy is making it into the mainstream.
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Technology is empowering people to salvage the sun’s energy in a low-maintenance and cost-effective manner. Over the past decade, the solar power industry has seen several technological innovations, making a serious impact on the world’s energy systems.
If you desire to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, here are six intriguing solar innovations that you need to understand.
1) Solar Windows
Solar windows are made of solar panels that harvest the energy from the sun, converting it into electricity. These panels retrofit all types of windows, helping building owners achieve partial independence from the power grid.
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Organizations have used organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology to develop electricity-generating see-through windows, turning commercial buildings, towers, and skyscrapers into vertical power generators. Scientists working on this project claim that installing solar windows on a 50-story tower can reduce carbon emissions equivalent to that emitted by 2.2 million vehicles per year.
2) Solar Transportation
Solar transportation has come a long way since 2013, when Australia introduced the first solar-powered bus that generates zero emissions.
Moreover, the airline industry is undergoing a revolutionary change with new prototypes, like the Solar Impulse 2; it was the first solar-powered airplane and it made a historic trip around the globe. The aircraft carries more than 17 thousand photovoltaic cells that charge the solar batteries, enabling the jet to stay aloft for days on end.
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3) Solar Fashion
With the world moving towards a sustainable future, researchers are working on embedding flexible solar panels into the fabric, enabling every person to harness renewable solar energy. Pauline van Dongen, a well-known Dutch fashion designer, has created an entire collection of shirts, parkas, and high-end fashion wear that can produce up to one watt of electricity – enough to charge phones, MP3 players, and other hand-held gadgets for a few hours.
4) Solar Power Harvesting Trees
Solar power harvesting trees are tapping the infinite energy of the sun, offering an innovative way to generate clean energy. Scientists at the VTT Technical Center of Finland have developed prototype plants that harvest solar energy and store it to power devices – namely mobile phones, laptops, LED street lights, and electric vehicles.
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5) Solar Desalination
Desalination, a technique of extracting salt and minerals from saline water, has been in use for generations. In fact, an estimated 300 million people get their freshwater supply from nearly 19 thousand desalination plants around the globe.
With solar energy touching every aspect of human life, solar-powered machines can now help solve the looming water crisis. Scientists have come up with a revolutionary solution to make freshwater available in drought-plagued areas. The solar desalination system uses a combination of membrane distillation technology and sunlight-harvesting nanophotonic cells to convert salty or brackish water into fresh drinking water.
6) Photo Biological Cells
Though a lot of research and investment is being done on widening the applications of photovoltaic cells, BioSolar Cells, an extensive research project involving ten knowledge institutions and 45 private industries, is exploring the role of photo biological cells in producing green energy. The BioSolar Cells project aims for a sustainable production of energy, biomass, and food using photosynthesis. These cells improve the efficiency of the process by which plants, algae, and bacteria capture energy from the sun.