Innovation & Technology

The Unexpected Future of Solar, From Onions to Algorithms

In this first installment of Innovation Watch, we spotlight five innovations helping solar to power the world even more sustainably.

By Tom Idle | Published 1 day ago | About a 7 minute read

Image: Sun-Ways

If it feels like solar power is suddenly everywhere, that’s because it is. In 2024 alone, nearly 600 gigawatts of new solar capacity were installed around the world — enough to power every light, fridge, laptop and phone in the US alone. And it’s a 33 percent jump from the year before, pushing us firmly into “this is actually happening” territory.

Solar is currently the fastest-growing slice of the clean-energy mix — accounting for nearly half of all new renewable capacity worldwide. But this rapid expansion isn’t just about panels on roofs. It’s about the tech behind the transition: the materials, storage systems, AI optimization tools, smart applications, creative finance models and circular design thinking that’s making solar smarter, cheaper and more accessible.

In this first installment of our Innovation Watch column, we spotlight five innovations helping solar to power the world even more sustainably.

Tracks to terawatts: Adding solar panels between the rails

Sun-Ways
pilot Sun-Ways’ solar plant pilot, installed between railway tracks in Buttes, Switzerland | Image credit: Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Swiss startup Sun-Ways is turning train tracks into solar farms by installing removable solar panels in between the rails. No disruption to trains, no extra land required, no eyesores — just clean energy flowing from previously unused real estate.

How does it work?

Sun-Ways’ patented system mounts to a railway maintenance machine to roll out solar panels directly between standard-gauge tracks. The system can install around 1,000 square meters of PV per day; and because the panels are modular and removable, they can be taken out swiftly when track maintenance is needed. The electricity generated can feed directly into train power lines or back into the public grid.

Why should climate-conscious companies care?

Because there are 1.3 million kilometers of railway lines globally — just sitting there, waiting to generate clean power. Sun-Ways is showing how rethinking infrastructure can unlock massive climate wins without new land-use battles. The firm’s pilot installation on 100 meters of track in the Swiss town of Buttes could scale to produce 1 TWh per year in Switzerland alone, powering a third of the nation’s public transport. For brands investing in transport, infrastructure or sustainable logistics, this innovation turns existing assets into clean-energy engines.

Red onion dye: A sweet shield for solar panels

red onion skin solar cell
coating A film dyed with red onion skin extract and dye-sensitized solar cells| Image credit: Väinö Anttalainen

It’s a solar panel upgrade, with a culinary twist: Researchers from Finland’s University of Turku and Aalto University and the Netherlands’ Wageningen University have discovered that extracts from red onion skin can be used to coat solar cells and protect them from UV damage.

How does it work?

Solar panels degrade over time, mainly due to constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation — which can sap up to 23 percent of their power output over 25 years. Traditionally, this is mitigated using fossil-based plastic coatings.

But the researchers discovered a more sustainable alternative: a nanocellulose film treated with red onion dye not only blocks UV rays more effectively than other bio-based coatings (including lignin and iron ion blends), it also allows over 80 percent of visible light through — crucial for power generation. Even after 1,000 hours of simulated sunlight, the films held strong.

Why should climate-conscious companies care?

Because it’s a win-win-win: better durability, cleaner materials and longer-lasting solar efficiency. The innovation offers a better way to extend the life of solar installations while cutting out fossil-derived components. For brands banking on solar to hit their net-zero targets, solutions such as this could improve both ROI and environmental credentials.

Solar-powered cold chains for hot markets

KIC cold
truck A Keep IT Cool cold-storage truck| Image credit: Earthshot Prize

Kenyan startup Keep IT Cool is tackling a massive and often challenge in hot climates: fresh food wasted before it ever hits the market. In Africa, 30-40 percent of all food produced is lost in transit due to lack of cold storage (for fish, that number can rise to 60 percent). This social enterprise provides solar-powered coolers and a full-stack cold chain logistics platform for small farmers and fishers.

How does it work?

First, it brings off-grid, solar-powered cold-storage capability to thousands of small food producers — extending the shelf life of their harvest or catch and ensuring they, not spoilage, dictate the terms of their sales. Food producers can book refrigerated transport via an online platform, accessing new markets while avoiding middlemen. And the company’s e-commerce portal helps producers lock in fair prices with buyers up front.

Why should climate-conscious companies care?

Because this is human-centered climate tech. Since 2022, Keep IT Cool — a 2024 winner of the Earthshot Prize — has reduced post-harvest loss for over 1.5 million kilos of produce by 98 percent. That’s not just supply chain efficiency — that’s increased food security and farmer incomes, and lower emissions from waste. Backed by the Rockefeller Foundation and Google, the startup is scaling fast — with a 70-ton solar-powered facility coming online this year. Brands sourcing from African markets — or claiming climate-justice credentials — should take note: This is what regenerative, resilient value chains look like in practice.

Solar gets smarter: AI as ops manager

Raicoon
AOC Raicoon’s AOC system| Image credit: Raicoon

A solar farm that diagnoses itself? That’s basically what Raicoon has built. Its AI-powered Autonomous Operations Centre (AOC) monitors, analyzes and fine-tunes solar PV systems —no humans required. It’s like giving your solar panels a brain (and a very efficient one at that).

How does it work?

The Austrian company’s platform uses machine learning to process the oceans of data flowing from solar installations. Instead of bombarding operators with false alarms and endless spreadsheets, it zeroes in on the real issues — flagging only what matters and doing so with near-perfect accuracy. That means faults are detected early, maintenance is streamlined and energy output improves by up to 6 percent. With operating costs slashed by as much as 50 percent, it’s a rare case of more for less.

Why should climate-conscious companies care?

According to the IEA, energy efficiency is the “first fuel” in the climate fight — and Raicoon is proving why. For brands investing in solar infrastructure, platforms such as this turn “installed capacity” into actual performance. Add €4 million in fresh investment and a spot in Amazon's Sustainability Accelerator, and Raicoon is clearly one to watch.

Ultra-thin panels for every surface

Active Surfaces solar
film Active Surfaces’ laboratory-fabricated 4-by-4-inch PV devices| Image credit: Active Surfaces

Solar panels that bend, flex and stick almost anywhere? MIT spinout Active Surfaces has developed ultra-light, flexible solar films that weigh 120 times less than conventional panels and are thinner than a human hair. Think rooftops, balconies, public buildings — even transport hubs: If sunlight touches it, it can now generate power.

How does it work?

Instead of using brittle, heavy silicon, the company has engineered a solar-absorbing material that doesn’t need protective glass or bulk. The result? A featherweight, bendable module that’s easier to transport, install and integrate into building surfaces without costly structural upgrades. The firm also uses patented rapid manufacturing techniques that slash production and installation costs.

Why should climate-conscious companies care?

Because solar doesn’t have to be cumbersome or confined to fields anymore. Active Surfaces’ tech unlocks previously untapped urban real estate — older rooftops, awkward corners, even decorative façades — for clean-energy generation. For brands with real estate footprints, infrastructure assets or climate targets; practical, scalable, urban-ready solar solutions are a no-brainer.

Tom Idle

Content creator extraordinaire.

Tom is founder of storytelling strategy firm Narrative Matters — which helps organizations develop content that truly engages audiences around issues of global social, environmental and economic importance. He also provides strategic editorial insight and support to help organisations – from large corporates, to NGOs – build content strategies that focus on editorial that is accessible, shareable, intelligent and conversation-driving.

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