Surprising Places You Never Expected to See Solar Panels

In this era of energy transition, creativity and innovation are essential in adopting sustainable technologies. Solar panels, one of the most efficient solutions for clean energy generation, are now appearing in increasingly unexpected places.

These innovations enable individuals and communities to generate their own electricity, reducing their reliance on the grid. In this article, we explore some of the most unusual locations where solar panels are being installed, proving that the sun's potential truly knows no bounds.

What will you read in this article?

• Vehicle roofs and solar roads
• Reservoirs
• Spacecraft
• Parks and urban spaces
• Balconies and pergolas

Vehicle roofs and solar roads: Energy in motion

Vehicle roofs, from buses to electric cars, are being transformed into energy-generating surfaces. These solar panels not only power auxiliary systems like air conditioning and lighting, but also allow owners to produce some of their own energy, reducing the need for traditional electricity sources.

While electric vehicles typically depend on external power sources, cars equipped with solar panels generate their own energy from sunlight. Since 1987, the World Solar Challenge, a 3,000 km race, has relied solely on solar energy. Although this technology still requires further development to match the range of conventional electric vehicles and those powered by fossil fuels, manufacturers are making significant investments in this form of sustainable mobility.

Other unconventional places for solar panels include roads, bicycle paths, and even railway tracks. In Switzerland, for example, vertical solar panels have been installed on the retaining walls of the ring road around Teufen, a town in Appenzell Ausserrhoden.

Water bodies: The case of the Sierra Brava reservoir

Floating solar installations on bodies of water are revolutionizing renewable energy generation. A notable example is the Sierra Brava reservoir in Spain, home to the country's first grid-connected floating solar plant.

This plant spans an area of 12,000 m², representing just 0.08% of the reservoir, and has a total capacity of 1.375 MWp—enough to meet the energy needs of approximately 1,000 households. These installations not only save land space but also blend harmoniously with the aquatic landscape, respecting the natural environment.

Floating solar panel technology is highly efficient, partly due to water evaporation, which helps keep the panels at optimal temperatures and enhances their performance. Moreover, these installations can be combined with other renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric power, to create a highly efficient hybrid generation system.

The Sierra Brava reservoir plant is a clear example of how we can maximize the use of natural resources to generate clean, sustainable energy, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Spacecraft: Energy in space

Spacecraft and satellites have relied on solar panels for decades to generate power in space, proving that solar energy is viable even beyond our planet. These panels are essential for powering onboard equipment and systems, including sensors, heating, cooling, and telemetry.

An iconic example of solar panels on spacecraft can be seen in the movie "Gravity," where they are crucial to the operation of the International Space Station (ISS).

These panels are designed to rotate as the spacecraft moves, ensuring they always face the sun's rays, regardless of the spacecraft's position.

For future missions, reducing the mass of solar panels while increasing the power generated per unit area will be critical. This advancement will reduce spacecraft weight, allowing solar-powered missions to reach greater distances from the Sun. In addition to their use in space, this technology also inspires terrestrial solutions for energy self-consumption in extreme conditions, opening up new possibilities for sustainability and energy efficiency on Earth.

Parks and urban spaces

Parks and public spaces are increasingly featuring art installations and structures that incorporate solar panels. These elements not only enhance the environment but also provide energy for lighting and other local needs. This enables urban communities to benefit from self-generated energy, reducing costs and promoting sustainability.

For example, this park in Arizona, USA, has solar panels installed on various structures, generating 75 kilowatts of energy—enough to power 8 to 9 homes—to meet the park's lighting and electricity needs.

Similar installations are being used in bus shelters and street furniture, such as traffic lights and streetlamps, turning the urban environment into a network for community energy generation

Balconies and pergolas: Shade and energy

Installing solar panels on balconies and pergolas is emerging as an innovative solution for residential energy self-consumption. Utilizing these often-overlooked spaces for solar energy generation not only reduces the carbon footprint of homes but also allows homeowners to achieve economic savings and become less dependent on the grid. This practice is particularly beneficial in densely populated urban areas, where space for traditional solar installations may be limited.

Innovation in the installation of solar panels in unconventional locations is accelerating the transition to a more sustainable energy future. By harnessing previously underutilized surfaces—such as vehicle roofs, reservoirs, parks, urban spaces, balconies, and pergolas—we are demonstrating that the sun's potential is limitless. With each new implementation, we move closer to a world where clean, renewable energy is the norm, not the exception.