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5 Unique ways to use solar power

Greta Jonyniate | 04.08.11

It might seem crazy, but solar energy has been harnessed by humans since the ancient times: the Greeks and Romans used magnifying glasses to burn the sails of enemy ships, the ancient Chinese used concentrated solar power for heat energy and Native Americans used hot springs as renewable geothermal sources for cooking and healing. 

So many centuries have passed and yet we are still learning new ways to use what Mother Nature has given us. Whilst roofs with solar panels might not surprise us anymore (although we would like to see more of them!), here are a few inventions which we put together just for a bit of fun.

 1. The Solar Bikini

All music lovers know how frustrating it is when your iPod battery runs out whilst you are chilling on the beach. The New York-based designer, Andrew Schneider, has created a very green bikini, or so called iKini, which is completely powered by the sun. And the good new doesn’t end there - the inventor is also hoping to create a pair of trunks that can cool beer! Read the full article HERE

 2.  3D Printer

We were really amazed by this solar powered 3D printer, which is capable of printing elaborate glassware. Markus Kayser, the creator of Solar Sinter, says the results of his first experiments (3D printer & Sun-Cutter), "represent the initial significant steps towards what I envisage as a new solar-powered production tool of great potential." Read the full article HERE

 3. Solar Powered Plane

In the not so distant future, commercial travel will change to a greener, more sustainable direction. A solar powered plane has already wowed the public at an air show in France this year and now we hope that in the near future we can all experience this environmentally friendly way of travel. The Solar Impulse has 10,000 solar cells which cover its 63m (207ft) wingspan and generates about 40 horsepower, about the same power as a small scooter. You can read the full article HERE

 4. Solar Powered Computer

For all computer geeks who want to do their bit for the planet & save some money by cutting their electricity bill down, Samsung have developed a new computer that is solar-powered! It only needs 2 hours of sunlight exposure to get 1 hour of working battery life and the battery fully charged will reportedly last about 14 hours. Brilliant! You can read the full article HERE

 5. Solar Powered Bin

You’ve got to love it - a solar-powered bin which crushes the rubbish and emails the council to say it's full. The 'Big Belly', a computerised, solar-powered bin which costs £3,200, is hitting the streets of Inverness. It can take up to eight times as much rubbish as a normal bin of the same size and is programmed to send an email to the council when the bin needs to be emptied. You can read the full article HERE 

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solar, solar power, solar plane, solar gadgets