The days of excess fuel consumption and fossil fuel reliance may soon come to an end as alternative energy sources continue to find new uses in everyday life. Solar powered gadgets make use of free energy provided by the sun. As new technology developments continue to evolve, solar power may very well play a key role in the clean energy revolution.

Generators and Chargers

Solar panels and solar cells have the capacity to convert the warmth from the sun into electrical currents. This process makes it possible to generate electricity, and also kinetic energy that can do work, such as power a motor. Solar powered generators are one of the many different types of solar powered devices currently in use. Solar generators can be used as an emergency back-up power supply or as an ongoing source of electricity, depending on the size of the generator. Solar generators can power appliances, televisions and most any devices that normally run off of an electrical box.

Solar trees are another gadget that relies on the sun’s energy. Shaped just like it sounds, a tabletop solar tree has solar panels built into its branches. Devices such as cell phones, laptops or any electronic device plug into the branches, which deliver charge to multiple devices at once. Likewise, solar powered keyboards work in much the same way as the branches on a solar tree, using built-in panels to absorb energy.

Solar Powered Add-ons

Cell phones and laptop computers are well known for their tendency to use up available battery power when used on a continuous basis. Solar powered add-on gadgets can provide a handy power source when device chargers are not readily available. Portable solar panels are one such add-on that easily attaches to a backpack. Flat in design, the panel becomes a portable charging station by soaking up energy from available sunlight.

Another gadget—known as the solar powered ventilator—comes in handy on hot summer days when stuffy hot air builds up inside car interiors. This gadget clips onto the top of the car window, with a small fan device attached to a mini-solar panel on the outside of the window. In effect, the solar energy is used to pull hot air from inside the car and replace it with cooler air.

For generating light inside a swimming pool, the solar pool light makes for a good lighting option. This gadget stores up the sun’s energy inside solar panels during the day and acts as an underwater light source at nighttime. The solar pool light can deliver up to one hour of night light for every one hour of daylight energy stored.

Concept Ideas

As of yet, solar powered devices have yet to provide an ongoing power supply like standard electric power does, though ongoing research into solar energy promises new improvements for the future. One such research project, undertaken by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, involves the use of large arrays of photovoltaic cells positioned in space. These cells are designed to collect solar energy from space and transmit it back to Earth in the form of microwave radiation. A ground antenna will then convert the microwaves into electricity.

Another project underway at Imperial College London is attempting to create artificial trees and leaves for use as clean fuel sources. Since leaves naturally convert sunlight into energy, replicating this process in artificial trees can provide a source for developing hydrogen- and methanol-based fuels.

Within the building construction industry, the New Energy Technologies Company is developing projects involving solar powered windows. This design converts glass windows into electricity-generating surfaces. The windows are sprayed with a coating that absorbs natural sunlight as well as artificial light produced by fluorescent and LED lighting sources. In effect, the window surfaces become solar panels that generate electricity for use within a home or building.

This article was written on behalf of Solar Market, where you have solar power systems explained so you can make the right decisions on what to purchase so you don’t get a lemon!