Explore the many products powered by solar energy. From calculators to cars, see how solar technology is used in everyday life and beyond.
Solar energy products are everywhere. You might have a solar calculator in your desk. You might have seen solar garden lights in a neighbor’s yard. You might have passed a solar street light on your way to school. These products all use the same basic idea: capture sunlight and turn it into useful energy.
Some solar products make electricity. Others make heat. Some are as small as a watch. Others cover acres of land. But every solar product takes free energy from the sun and puts it to work.
Solar panels (photovoltaic panels). These are the most common solar product. They sit on rooftops or in fields and turn sunlight directly into electricity. Each panel contains many solar cells made of silicon. When sunlight hits the silicon, electrons move and create an electric current. A typical home solar system has 15 to 25 panels.
Solar phone chargers. These are small, portable panels that charge your phone or tablet. They are great for hiking, camping, or power outages. Most have a USB port built in. A good one can charge a phone in about 3 hours in direct sunlight.
Solar lights. These include garden lights, pathway lights, and security lights. They have a small solar panel on top and a battery inside. During the day, they charge. At night, they turn on automatically. They need no wiring and no electricity bill.
Solar attic fans. These fans sit on your roof and use a small solar panel to power a fan. They pull hot air out of your attic in summer. This keeps your house cooler and lowers your air conditioning bill. They are simple and require no electrical work.
Solar street lights. These are tall poles with a solar panel on top and a bright LED light. They are common in parking lots, parks, and along roads. They work all night on energy stored during the day.
Solar water heaters. A solar water heater uses sunlight to heat water for your home. It has collectors on the roof that absorb heat. Water or a special fluid flows through the collectors and gets hot. The hot water goes into a tank for use later. Solar water heaters are very common in sunny countries like Israel, Greece, and China.
Solar cookers. These devices use mirrors or reflective surfaces to focus sunlight onto a cooking pot. They can reach temperatures of 150 degrees Celsius or more. That is hot enough to boil water, cook rice, or bake bread. Solar cookers are used in many developing countries where firewood is scarce.
Solar dryers. These are simple boxes that use sunlight and airflow to dry food, fruits, or herbs. They protect the food from insects and rain while the sun does the drying. Solar dryers are used by farmers to preserve food without using electricity or fuel.
Solar calculators. The classic solar product. A small solar cell on the calculator powers it as long as there is enough light. No batteries needed. These have been popular since the 1970s.
Solar watches. These watches have tiny solar cells under the watch face. They charge in any light and can run for months on a full charge. Many never need a battery replacement.
Solar backpacks. These have a flexible solar panel sewn onto the outside. You can charge your phone or tablet while you walk. They are popular with hikers and travelers.
Solar water pumps. These pumps use solar panels to power a water pump. They are used for irrigation, livestock watering, and drinking water in remote areas. They are especially helpful in places where there is no electricity grid.
Solar powered cars. Some cars have solar panels on the roof to help charge the battery. The Lightyear 0 and Aptera are examples. Solar race cars, like those in the World Solar Challenge, can drive across Australia using only solar power.
Have you ever used a solar calculator? The little black strip on top is a solar cell. It catches light and turns it into electricity for the calculator. That is why solar calculators do not need batteries. The same thing happens with solar garden lights. They soak up sun all day and then glow at night.
Some people even cook food with the sun. They use a special box with mirrors to focus sunlight onto a cooking pot. It works just like an oven, but with no electricity or gas. You can bake cookies with sunshine.
Solar products are divided into two main types: photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal. PV products turn light into electricity. Solar thermal products turn light into heat.
The efficiency of each product type varies. A solar panel might be 20% efficient. A solar water heater can be 60% to 80% efficient. That is because turning light into heat is easier than turning light into electricity. Heat is a lower form of energy, so less is lost in the conversion.
Solar products also use different materials. Most solar panels use silicon. Some newer panels use thin-film materials like cadmium telluride. These are cheaper but less efficient. Solar thermal products use copper, aluminum, and glass, which are good at capturing and holding heat.
The solar product market is growing fast. In 2023, solar panels were installed on about 4 million homes in the US. The global solar market is worth over $200 billion per year and is expected to keep growing.
Solar powered plane. The Solar Impulse 2 flew around the world in 2016 using only solar energy. It had 17,000 solar cells on its wings. It flew at about 30 miles per hour.
Solar desalination. Solar powered desalination plants use solar energy to remove salt from seawater. They provide clean drinking water in dry coastal areas.
Solar in space. Every satellite and space station uses solar panels. They have been powering spacecraft since the 1950s. In space, solar panels get more direct sunlight than on Earth.
Solar powered refrigerator. These refrigerators use solar panels to keep vaccines and medicines cold in remote areas without electricity. They save lives in developing countries.
Common Misconceptions
“Solar products do not work in cold weather.” Cold weather does not stop solar products. Solar panels actually work better in cool temperatures. Solar water heaters still work as long as there is sun.
“Solar products are too expensive.” Many solar products are very affordable. Solar garden lights cost $10 to $20. Solar phone chargers cost $20 to $50. Even solar panels pay for themselves over time.
“Solar products need direct sunlight all day.” Most solar products work in indirect sunlight too. They just produce less. Solar chargers still charge on cloudy days, just slower.
Discussion Questions
The first solar powered calculator was invented in 1978. It was a huge success because it never needed new batteries.
A solar water heater can prevent about 4,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year. That is like planting 100 trees.
The Solar Impulse 2 plane flew 26,000 miles around the world on solar power alone. It took 16 months and used zero fuel.
Solar powered refrigerators can keep vaccines cold for days without any electricity. They are used in over 40 countries.
The most efficient solar cell ever made in a lab converts 47% of sunlight into electricity. It uses multiple layers of different materials.
Last updated: June 15, 2026
What was the first widely used solar product for consumers?
How does a solar cooker work?
What does a solar inverter do?
Which of these is NOT a common solar product?
How long do solar panels typically last?
Answers: B: Solar calculator, B: It concentrates sunlight to cook food, B: It converts DC electricity to AC electricity, C: Solar toaster, C: 25 to 30 years
What are the most common solar energy products?
The most common solar products are solar panels for homes, solar water heaters, solar lights, solar phone chargers, and solar calculators. Many people start with small products like garden lights.
How much does a solar water heater cost?
A solar water heater costs between $2,000 and $5,000 installed. It pays for itself in 4 to 8 years through lower energy bills. It can cut water heating costs by 50% to 80%.
Do solar phone chargers really work?
Yes, but they charge slowly compared to wall chargers. A small solar charger can fully charge a phone in 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight. They are great for camping and emergencies.
Can you run a whole house on solar products?
Yes. A home solar system with panels, an inverter, and batteries can power everything in a typical house. Many people also add solar water heaters and solar attic fans.
Are solar products expensive?
Some are expensive up front, like solar panels. Others are very cheap, like solar garden lights for $10. The price of all solar products has dropped a lot in recent years.
