As solar power becomes more accessible to the general public, startups and businesses are thinking of innovative new ways to use the clean energy source to improve our everyday lives. Take for example the tech company ZON, which has created the Powersol, a patio umbrella that can charge mobile devices using solar panels built into the umbrella ribs.

The idea for this convenient device came when founder Sarah Akin was outside reading on her dying iPad with nowhere nearby to charge it. She realized that an inconspicuous, solar-powered device could be very useful for people who wanted to stay connected to their technology while outside.

Powersol is just one in a growing trend of solar-powered technology that takes advantage of the sun’s energy in an innovative and cost-saving way. Signaling devices like roadside signs, buoys and even lighthouses can now be powered by the sun, freeing them from generators or other expensive power sources.

Systems that monitor potential disasters like earthquakes or landslides can also be powered by solar, allowing us to oversee large areas with minimized power costs. One can imagine the influence these versatile and convenient products can have across a multitude of industries.

Below, we’ve outlined a few of the most interesting examples of new solar technology uses, and how they are changing the world. Different than the conventional roof-mounted systems popular with residential or business property owners, solar-power that charges our phones is much more accessible to the average user. These adaptations are just one more sign that solar power is here to stay — and something to watch in the coming years.

Agricultural Water Pumps

Solar-powered water pumps allow farmers to irrigate their farms in an efficient, clean way. While this has clear benefits for domestic agriculture, it’s also proven to be very effective in third world countries where access to other kinds of power can be expensive. Farmers in rural areas of India are using these solar water pumps to tend to their crops. Beyond that, they can also sell their surplus energy to the grid, allowing them an additional source of income.

Public Transportation Stops

Cities that are looking for ways to improve the public transportation experience in a way that is affordable and environmentally-conscious are increasingly turning to solar as a solution. Los Angeles is currently working on installing solar-powered bus stations all over the city, which will feature USB charging ports, real time updates and free wifi.

This will greatly improve the rider experience by allowing passengers to charge their mobile devices and receive more timely alerts in regards to arrival times or delays.

Wearable Tech

Companies developing technology that can be worn as a watch, jewelry, or even contact lenses consistently run into the same problem: battery life. Consumers do not like having to charge these accessories every day, so those behind this technology are looking into more unobtrusive ways for these devices to receive energy.

For example, Google currently has a patent for smart contact lenses that at least partially receive their energy from the sun. This wearable tech could make it possible to monitor health metrics like glucose levels, blood alcohol levels, and temperature. Instant access to personal health information like this could change the medical industry as we know it.

This news may not come as such a surprise, since we already know that Google is a huge advocate for solar energy thanks to its Project Sunroof initiative.

Whether it’s for charging cell phones or turning a parking lot into an energy production source, solar energy is becoming an increasingly viable source of energy for a multitude of uses.

If you’d like to find out how installing solar panels on your roof can help you drive your electric bill down to zero, contact us today for a free quote.