In recent years, solar energy has moved beyond rooftops and into exciting new territories. One breakthrough is solar windows—transparent panels that look like regular glass but generate electricity by capturing ultraviolet and infrared light. These windows can be installed in homes, offices, and even skyscrapers, turning buildings into vertical solar farms. Another innovation is solar roads, which embed solar panels into highways and parking lots, producing power while withstanding the weight of vehicles. These surfaces can also include LED lights for road markings or sensors to monitor traffic and weather.

Solar energy is also being used in agriculture through agrivoltaics, where solar panels are placed above crops. This dual-use approach not only generates electricity but also provides partial shade, which can improve crop yields in hot climates by reducing water loss. In remote areas, compact solar-powered desalination systems are turning sunlight into clean drinking water, offering a sustainable solution to water scarcity. These creative uses of solar energy are helping to power a more resilient and eco-friendly future.