You know the spiel: Technology has shaken up markets, industries and the way everything works.
It has allowed important areas of innovation to thrive. Just look at the medical field, doctors have access to predictive instruments and near-instant diagnoses. It allows us to connect with other people, across the world, in seconds. The list of gadgets and gizmos could fill an entire library. Put simply, technology is just really cool.
We may be a *little* biased but some of the most exciting (and practical) technology has come in the form of smart energy inventions particularly in the solar sector.
1. Solar Backpacks
Imagine if on your next out of town adventure you could charge your phone, tablet and camera just by tossing them in your backpack. Well, you can. Solar backpacks have been on the market for some time now but every year they seem to get a little bit better.
Super-thin film solar modules are fastened to the front of these backpacks to help generate power with a range of around 6 watts, according to Voltaic. Simply walking around in the sun will do the trick to power all your devices for your journey (while also storing all your other adventure essentials). Voltaic mentions that one hour of solar charging in the sun is enough to power your phone for 4 hours of use. Side note: If backpacks aren't your style - fear not, there are solar-powered purses that function in the same way.
2. Creative Edge Solar Cellphone Charger
How many times a day do you turn to your phone charger for a battery boost? The little device allows us to leverage solar power for these charging needs. This particular version by Creative Edge includes five panels and can hold as much as 5,000 Milliamp Hours (mAh) equating to 2.5 full charges from one solar charge on the device. It features two USB ports and is small enough to travel with you on-the-go (or place off to the side of your desk).
3. Solar Laptop Chargers
We can use solar power to charge our laptops, too. These chargers come in a lot different formats, from roll-up mats like the Solaris 62 that can be laid out in the sun and connected to your device, to portable chargers that resemble a backpack-sized battery such as the Voltaic Generator Solar Laptop Charger. While your laptop won't necessarily run completely off these chargers, they can power up your device for use later on - one hour of sun charge c an produce up to 45 minutes of use.4. Solar BBQs
Ditch the gas and coals and let the sun power your next barbecue. That's right, we even have solar powered grills now. Devices like the GoSun Grill function by storing the heat from the sun to cook your meats, veggies and everything in between. The GoSun Grill in particular uses a vacuum tube to store solar energy for cooking, roasting, baking and steaming. It's this storage technique that allows these grills to function even when the sun isn't shining.5. Organic Transit ELF
This little vehicle-like contraption is one of the coolest, albeit strangest, inventions in the solar sphere. ELF describes it as the most efficient vehicle on the planet. Hoisted up on three wheels, the ELF also has 100-watt solar panels attached to its roof as well as turn signals, an aluminium alloy frame, taillights and headlights.On either a solar charge or an electric charge, the ELF can go over 24 kilometres at around 32 kph. If the power drains on your journey, there's no need to stop - you just start pedalling to keep this velomobile moving.
6. LG Solar Air Conditioning
Solar-powered air conditioning devices are a relatively new market entrant but they have some seriously cool implications for energy conservation. LG's notes that by using their solar-powered air conditioner, you can reduce 212 kg of CO2 in 10 years. It fuses the solar energy created by modular cells and can produce up to 70 watts of energy per hour.Not all solar air conditioners function exactly the same but they all leverage solar energy to drive the machine into gear and (perhaps more importantly) help reduce costs and preserve energy as a whole. According to Ice Solair, solar-powered air conditioners have the potential to allow users to reap energy savings of up to 50 per cent.
The best part of all these gadgets is that they're not just cool, they're environmentally friendly. They help take the work out of doing our part to make the world a more sustainable place.