Five innovative uses of solar power

Placing solar panels on your roof is only one option for using the enormous amount of energy the Sun provides. Solar technology can also be incorporated into everyday objects, as well as in more unusual situations!

This solar powered keyboard has no wires and doesn’t even need its batteries changing – all the energy it needs comes from light.

Solar panels only generate electricity during the day, but by storing this up and using a low powered light, the Sun Jar provides a great way to light up paths at night, or to use as a night light.

Like music? Portable music players are everywhere these days, but what happens when you’re out and about and haven’t got access to a plug? No problem with these solar powered speakers.

Haidar Taleb, a 47-year-old UAE National, set a Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled in a motorised solar-powered wheelchair, when he travelled 14 hours non-stop from Masdar City to Sharjah.

Want to go further? This solar powered plane completed a 24 hour flight, saving enough energy during the day to fly continuously through the night.