9 Inventive Uses of Solar Technology in 2025

Solar technology is an excellent renewable energy solution, delivering a great deal of electricity that people can use for their homes. Combined with new findings and technological designs, solar applications have been expanding.

1. Solar Roads

Often installed on top of homes and buildings to generate electricity for individual properties, solar panels are a common sight. Solar roads involve placing the battery panels on the roadside to collect more energy for general use.

Solar roads are feasible, as they generally get plenty of sun exposure. Specific applications showcase that they can serve as road and warning signs for drivers heading down the highway. It can also store heat that can melt snow and ice to minimise accidents.

2. Solar Yachts

Innovations span from the roads to the seas. The panels on a solar-powered yacht’s rooftop can power the onboard equipment for about seven hours since it produces up to 50 kWh of energy per day.

Luxury experience aside, this solar system’s existence suggests the possibility of accumulating more, depending on the size of the solar panels. Such a theory could contribute to an invention that would benefit the marine and cargo industry.

3. Solar Railway

Switzerland has the first removable photovoltaic (PV) system on railway tracks. There is hope that 50% of the world’s railways will receive these systems once the project succeeds. The move comes as Europe experiences added pressure over meeting climate change goals.

Unlike the self-powering solar yacht, the electricity generated from the railway will be fed into the power grid to power homes. There was initial interest in having the panels power the trains directly, but it’s proved too complex a goal.

4. Solar Canopy

Some electric vehicles have evolved to have solar panel products integrated into them. The solar protective canopy takes a different approach, with the panel-powered installation designed to safeguard millions in vehicle inventory from severe weather conditions.

The structure is engineered specifically to handle hail and heavy storms, with the application already present in Kia’s facility. It can also collect energy to offset energy usage and meet environmental goals in the future.

5. Solar Desalination

Introducing solar energy in the form of a new desalination system can extend water access and help regions experiencing shortages. Dealing with salt accumulation significantly increases operational expenses.

Findings showcase that solar desalination can be a more affordable and efficient design. The goal is to increase the concentration of sunlight enough to create high-temperature steam suitable for medical sterilization.

6. Solar Smart Irrigation

Another inventive use of solar technology is a smart irrigation system. Farming practices in the agricultural sector are constantly improving, and including a solar panel-powered base station can conserve energy use while keeping the soil in ideal conditions.

A solar-powered sensor relays moisture, air temperature, and humidity data about the soil to ensure optimal levels. While the battery can only power the motor for a minimum of two hours at night, future developments may make it more efficient.

7. Solar Portable Oven

The solar-powered portable oven benefits users during camping trips and other outdoor activities. The reflecting panels can absorb sunlight and cook meals while outdoors and without external batteries.

The oven is also a viable alternative for people living off the grid and exploring alternative energy resources for their daily activities. The unit itself can even handle a large capacity of food, which allows for more elaborate meal preparation.

8. Solar Waste Compactors

Waste compactors can be a sustainable way of collecting and storing garbage. Solar-powered bins are emerging as a greener way to do so, as they convert sunlight to power the compaction mechanism. It can hold up to five times the capacity of its regular counterparts.

While it is much more sustainable, there is hope that a more minimal design will be created to conserve resources and materials. Concerns regarding toxic metal pollution from components like the batteries and pistons should also be addressed.

9. Solar Windows

Solar windows are another iteration of smart home technology that can improve your quality of life. The idea is to create transparent solar panels or solar panel-like coatings that can absorb sunlight and generate energy for the home.

Ideally, there would be an electrical port built into the window frame. Due to its thinner and transparent design, solar windows may collect less energy than fully opaque panels. Thus, it’s best to use them in tandem with rooftop PV systems rather than replacing them.

The Future of Solar Innovation

The expansion of solar applications shows how promising the future is, which provides much-needed hope with the rise of climate change concerns. Pay attention to these technologies and their development to support and attract investments.