Solar Power Goes Underground

Turning sunlight into energy is one of the longstanding ways of creating green energy. The problem is where to put all those darn solar panels. I mean, there are only so many roofs and/or available open spaces in the world, right? And those panels aren't small -- at least not yet. That's where EarthSure comes in.

The renewable energy company based in Woodbridge, N.J., is taking solar in a different direction. Down. As in under your feet. How, you might ask, are they getting sunlight underground? Here's how, according to this BusinessWire press release:

"A compact optical device is installed upon a rooftop or other sunlight-catching environment. This optical device captures and magnifies the sun's rays and transfers the sunlight from its linear or cylindrical lens through fiber-optic lines leading down into an underground storage of solar panel modules."

These solar panels will be about 3-4 feet under the surface, in underground chambers. Along with being out of sight, other advantages of this system include solar panels not being exposed to the elements, meaning they can't be as easily damaged, and it's cooler underground, which increases productivity and avoids the potential for overheating.

Okay, wind power. The gauntlet has been thrown down. Can you go underground, too?

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng