Robot rovers to cars: 7 solar innovations shaping the future energy shift

At CES 2026, solar technology showcased a significant evolution beyond traditional rooftop panels, emphasizing adaptability, automation, and integration into diverse environments. Key innovations included Jackery’s “Living Solar” ecosystem featuring the Solar Mars Bot, a mobile rover with retractable solar panels that autonomously tracks sunlight for optimal energy capture, and the Solar Gazebo, a fixed outdoor structure with a louvered solar roof producing up to 10 kWh daily. These systems highlight how automation can enhance solar efficiency while simplifying user interaction. Other standout technologies focused on expanding solar’s applicability and ease of installation. Blue Device introduced nanoparticle solar smart windows that generate power and dynamically tint without internal wiring, reducing building energy use by 20-40% and cutting installation costs by over half. BiLight Innovations presented a rollable perovskite photovoltaic curtain that functions as both a shading device and power source, demonstrating flexible, lightweight solar materials suitable for indoor and low-light conditions. Additionally, Dracula Technologies unveiled the LAYER®