Welcoming 2023 has sure been a fun and ecstatic affair, we’re all brimming over with excitement and ambition, and have an arsenal of resolutions to achieve. And one resolution that we should all be striving towards collectively – is to start living more consciously and in an eco-friendly manner, which includes paying attention to, and giving consideration to our energy sources. Curbing fossil fuel consumption has now become a priority, and we have a more positive energy source in mind as an alternative – the Sun! Solar energy has pretty much won over the world, and we see it being utilized in all aspects of design, whether it’s solar-powered kitchen appliances, homes, or even hotels! And, we’ve put together a collection of ingenious solar-powered products that will make a MAJOR difference in your everyday life. From a paper-thin solar cell that could bring solar power to any surface, to solar-powered umbrella canopies inspired by Acacia trees – these solar-powered designs are bound to make some eco-friendly waves in 2023.
1. The Luci Beam LED
Designed by Mpowered, the Luci Beam LED is a 2-in-1 solar-powered headlamp and flashlight, that is power-packed in a water-resistant body, allowing it to be utilized in all kinds of situations without any hassle. The product can provide up to 300 lumens of brightness, which should come in handy in so many use cases: whether you are searching for something in the store room or illuminating your pathway during a hike.
Why is it noteworthy?
Luci Beam’s ability to transform from a handheld to a headlamp is what makes it stand out from other lighting designs in the market! The 2-in-1 headlamp and flashlight is solar-powered but can also be recharged via USB if there is no sun, so you are never left stranded in the middle of an adventure.
What we like
- Features a micro-USB cable to charge on the go
- A secure headband for the headlamp and the wrist strap for the flashlight make sure that the device is always securely strapped on
What we dislike
- We’re not sure how sturdy it is to handle the rough outdoors
2. Paper-thin Solar Cell
MIT researchers created a paper-thin solar cell that is so thin and lightweight, that you can place it on almost any kind of surface! solar panels can generate 370 watts per kilogram of power, which is actually 18 times more as compared to regular solar cells.
Why is it noteworthy?
Not only does this mean that they are viable alternatives to heavy panels that burden your roof, but they can also be installed on almost any surface, including flexible ones like boat sails or tents. This paper-thin solar cell is excellent for tents, especially when they are situated in disaster-stricken areas, where power grids may not be operable at times.
What we like
- 18 times more powerful compared to conventional cells
- Can be bent or rolled like a piece of paper
What we dislike
- Missing a protective layer that will protect the cells from the environment
3. Ecacia
Designed by Samuel Wilkinson, Ecacia is a tree-like structure inspired by one of the species of the Acacia tree that grows in eastern and Southern Africa. This huge umbrella-like structure not only provides shade from sun and rain but can also power amenities located near it or charge electric vehicles as well.
Why is it noteworthy?
It features four programmable LED lamps that give off light to the surrounding areas at the night. Prototypes in the future will also be amped with a cooling mist function so that the public areas can be cooled down during the warm season. The umbrellas will provide a temporary respite to passersby.
What we like
- Features 708 monocrystalline solar panels to capture solar energy
What we dislike
- It’s still in the prototype stage!
4. HeliaSol
Designed by German brand Heliatek, HeliaSol has been around the market since 2017. It functions as a nifty sticker that you can stick onto or set up in schools, wind turbine facilities, and other spaces with large surfaces. And the brand has now come up with a new innovation called the HeliaFilm.
Why is it noteworthy?
HeliaFilm is a stick-on roll of film, that can stick to materials such as concrete, metal, and glass. The HeliaFilm can generate 170 watts per square meter and can be installed on all sorts of surfaces. The solar film can produce a 17.2% yield when utilized on a roll-up textile base.
What we like
- Created by material recycling
- Uses organic photovoltaic technology
What we dislike
- No complaints!
5. The Tesla Solar Range Extending Trailer
Tesla quietly launched one of its innovations at IdeenExpo in Hannover German. The EV giant unveiled a prototype of yet another product they’re working on – a trailer that attaches to the back of your EV and has been amped with fold-out solar panels and battery packs that help expand your EV’s range.
Why is it noteworthy?
Called, the Tesla Solar Range Extending trailer, the electric vehicle is quite simply put – massive. It’s as big as the other large trailers on the market, and it boasts fold-out solar panels that charge a pretty large battery pack placed below it. This battery pack can be used as an additional power source for the EV.
What we like
- Features a SpaceX Starlink internet terminal
- Amped with solar panels
What we dislike
- We don’t know if or when it will be launched
6. The Parelio
The Parelio looks like a super fun design, and it is! It is a solar-powered beach umbrella that is able to harness the power of the sun to create sustainable energy. The accessory is ideal for both lawns and beaches, and it can absorb sunlight, and convert it into electricity that can be used to power phone chargers, coolers, mini-fridges, and machinery as well!
Why is it noteworthy?
Instead of the usual beach umbrella design that folds down towards the earth, this one folds upward towards the sun as it absorbs its energy. The inspiration for the design is a combination of origami and the solar systems on NASA spacecraft.
What we like
- Amped with foldable photovoltaic panels
- Folds upwards towards the sun, rather than towards the earth
What we dislike
- No complaints!
7. The Solgaard Solarbank Boombox
Choosing a decent Bluetooth speaker is always a task, but now sustainability has been added to the mix as well! Your tech needs to be more eco-friendly as well now. The aim now is to make “greener” choices for the future of the planet. For this reason, the new Solgaard Solarbank Boombox portable speaker enters the market with a sustainable design.
Why is it noteworthy?
The upcycled plastic design refers to speaker cloth and outer shell from plastic waste. These are waste materials but had been upcycled and used instead. This process is part of the brand’s initiative to pull about 5 lbs of plastic for every product sold.
What we like
- The Solgaard Solarbank Boombox lets you enjoy music while the battery harnesses the power of the sun
- It is sand-proof, water-proof, and drop-proof
What we dislike
- The speaker’s looks are unimpressive and quite common
8. The Adidas RPT-02 SOL
Dubbed the Adidas RPT-02 SOL, these pair of over-the-ear cans juice up with natural light or even artificial light. So, they’ll not need to recharge any time soon.
Why is it noteworthy?
These headphones are a follow-up to the RPT-01(not solar-powered) and promise almost double the playback time at around 80 hours. Not to forget that the RPT-02 SOL are solar powered, and the battery keeps topping up as long as you are exposed to good lighting conditions.
What we like
- Crafted out of recycled plastic
- Used a highly flexible light-cell material by Powerfoyle
What we dislike
- No complaints!
9. The Matte Works Solar Watches
In today’s day and age, the world of smartwatches is run over by those with disposable lithium-ion batteries and planned obsolescence life cycles, the Matte Works solar watches are literally quite a refreshing change! These minimal and clean watches feature an evergreen aesthetic, that quite smartly conceals the solar panels placed below the watch dial.
Why is it noteworthy?
Unlike a smartwatch that ends up becoming ‘old news’ after the company launches its next version a year later, the Matte Works solar watches stay classy and functional for years, while underscoring the importance of relying on renewable energy.
What we like
- The watch comes with a classic aesthetic that conceals its powerful feature underneath a tinted dial
What we dislike
- Aesthetically looks quite similar to other watches on the market
10. Sunnyside
We love bento boxes – they’re super cute, compact, and functional. Now, meet Sunnyside, a nifty bento box quite literally powered by the sun! The bento box features a self-heating and cooling feature that ensures your meal is always at the right temperature. A heating coil around the metal container helps evenly conduct thermal energy around your food, keeping hot stuff hot, or if you’ve got something like an egg/potato salad that’s out in the sun, a pair of fans located on the bottom of the lunchbox pull out warm air, ensuring your food doesn’t spoil in the heat
Why is it noteworthy?
However what sets Sunnyside apart from other bento boxes on the market is that it relies almost entirely on a solar panel built right into its lid, working off renewable energy. A solar panel built into the lid helps charge the Sunnyside’s internal 10,000mAh battery that powers the lunchbox’s heating and cooling features, and a tiny LCD screen and buttons on the side help you control your Sunnyside, choosing how hot or cool you want the contents of your box to be.
What we like
- Doubles up as a wireless power bank to charge your phone, AirPods, or even your laptop
What we dislike
- No complaints!
