What Factors Contributed to Solar Power Being the World’s Most Coveted Energy Source?

By the mid-2020s, solar energy had become a major player. It emerged as the most affordable form of power generation and was also one of the fastest-growing sources of energy. The lifespan of solar panels had extended significantly, lasting around 30 to 40 years. However, eventually, these panels would need to be recycled or disposed of. By 2050, predictions indicated that there could be as much as 160 million tonnes of solar module waste. While this amount was considerably less than that produced by fossil fuel sources, it still posed a challenge.

Researchers began exploring how to create self-healing and even self-organizing solar panels.

By the mid-2030s, advancements had led to the creation of live solar panels, also known as biological solar power generation (BPV), which were deployed globally. The aesthetically pleasing, natural look of this technology made it popular, leading to the mantra of “yes, in my backyard,” and rapid adoption of living sunlight technology.

One of the first benefits was easily observed in off-grid rural areas, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where BPVs provided energy for mobile phones and computers without the need for batteries. As the technology progressed, older buildings were revamped into BPVs resembling green walls and roofs, while new structures incorporated living solar panels right from the design phase, allowing more people to become less dependent on traditional grid energy. This also helped boost local biodiversity and enhance overall happiness.

BPV operates like a fuel cell, where electrons move from the cathode to the anode, generating electricity. In biological contexts, electrons are produced by photosynthetic organisms and subsequently transferred to the anode.

Back in 2011, scientists became intrigued by the phenomenon of electrical leakage from cyanobacteria in sunlight. They discovered that by placing cyanobacteria on electrodes, they could harvest current to power small electronic devices.

However, the electrical output was weak due to insufficient electron leakage from the bacteria. Scientists like Chris Howe from Cambridge University worked on genetically modifying cyanobacteria to enhance electron leakage, allowing them to be connected to electronic devices.

In 2022, Howe’s team found that they could power computers solely using photosynthesis. Soon after, scientists made significant strides in their ability to scale up current harvesting and develop devices powered by biological energy sources worldwide.

One immediate benefit was a significant decrease in demand for small batteries that power many devices. By 2025, these batteries accounted for 3% of the global battery market, resulting in 10,000 tonnes of waste each year.

With the improvement in BPV technology, larger devices like mobile phones and refrigerators began operating on batteries charged by living solar cells. Electric vehicles could be charged using arrays of biological solar panels installed in garages and depots, leading to a reduced need for metals like lithium and manganese.

Remarkably, the devices continued to function in low light. At night, the cells metabolized compounds created during the day, producing a comparable amount of electrons to maintain power.

The rise of living solar technology had numerous implications. As buildings adopted a green aesthetic, urban planners started integrating more nature into streets and public areas. Even densely populated cities began to exhibit a vibrant green atmosphere, teeming with trees, plants, flowers, and wildlife.

The success of BPVs inspired a movement focused on integrating the organelles of plant cells responsible for photosynthesis. This enthusiastic group, identifying as members of Homo Photosyntheticus, drew inspiration from solar-powered sea slugs and incorporated chloroplasts sourced from plant leaves into their own biology.

Sea slugs have evolved methods to sustain and manage chloroplast functionality; however, they sometimes require additional chloroplasts. They possess a leaf-like structure that maximizes surface area, yet the energy obtained through photosynthesis only meets a small fraction of their energy requirements. For humans, without the cellular infrastructure to support chloroplast function or leaf-like shapes, this method could only yield negligible energy.

Nevertheless, for self-identified members of H. Photosyntheticus, the incorporation of chloroplasts held significant symbolic meaning. They engaged in what they referred to as “greening,” committing to utilize only electricity generated directly through photosynthesis—eschewing fossil fuels altogether! Additionally, they commonly tattooed chloroplasts on their skin as a visible testament to their dedication.