With environmental issues and solar-powered innovation at the forefront of everyone’s mind these days, countries across the world are vying for the title of the “biggest and the best” creations. However, in the quest for the top spot, two major challenges have been uncovered…the cost of the equipment to harness the solar power and the land mass needed to build these solar-powered giants.

Regardless of the drawbacks, massive solar-powered creations are being designed and built across the world. Let’s take a look at some of the largest – and most impressive – being constructed.

1. World’s largest solar-powered boat: This magnificent example of solar-powered innovation called PlanetSolar is touted as the world’s largest solar-powered trimaran. The multi-hull vessel, which will rely on solar panels designed to produce 1,000 watts of electricity daily, is slated to travel around the world in 140 days. Without sun, the vessel can continue its journey for up to three days.

2. World’s largest solar-powered audio system: The Taiwan National Stadium is home to the world’s largest solar-powered audio system. The stadium – which can accommodate 40,000 visitors – has a huge roof that incorporates almost 9,000 solar panels. The electricity generated by the panels is used to power the audio system, comprised of about 70 loudspeakers, designed to emulate the form of a flowing river.

3. World’s largest solar project: Twenty blue-chip German companies have come together to form the Desertec Foundation, builders of the world’s largest solar power plant, which is being constructed throughout countries of northern Africa deemed to be politically stable. Using the dryness of the Sahara Desert, the combined output of the plant will be 80 times larger than a similar installation being designed for the Mojave Desert. The whopping 100GW of solar power will be transmitted across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, ultimately supplying about 15% of the country’s energy demands.

4. World’s largest solar-powered office building: One of the most impressive solar-powered creations can be found in the Shangdong Province in northwest China. Built to resemble the structure of a sundial, this solar-powered office building will hold research facilities, meeting areas, exhibition halls and a sustainable hotel. Chinese symbols for the sun and the moon have been incorporated throughout its design, along with other green alternatives. The venue is slated to be the site of the 4th World Solar City Congress.


5. World’s largest solar stadium: This Japan-based record-breaking stadium, which can hold 55,000 visitors, can also power about 80% of the surrounding neighborhood when the stadium is not in use. Nearly 9,000 solar panels – that generate 1.14GWh of electricity each year - cover every inch of the massive stadium roof. No one has ever attempted a feat of this magnitude, which is to be the main site for the World Games.

6. World’s largest Solar Power Tower Plant: Spain is home to the world’s largest solar-power tower plant which stands 54-stories (531 ft.) high. Heliostats will track the sun during the day and forward the radiation onto a receiver positioned on the top of the tower to generate enough electricity for 10,000 homes.

7. World’s largest solar-powered footbridge: The Kurilpa Bridge located in Brisbane is the world’s largest footbridge, welcoming 36,500 people each week. The LED lighting program – powered by 84 solar panels - produces a variety of lighting effects and is to become a main feature of Brisbane’s annual Riverfire celebrations. Construction costs for the footbridge topped $63 million.

8. World’s largest solar powered tree: Brisbane is also home to the world’s largest solar-powered Christmas tree, which delights crowds with its 16,000 bulbs and baubles. Visitors are delighted with the multi-colored twinkling lights and giant star make completely of solar panels.

9. World’s largest solar cooking system: This system is located in the state of Maharashtra, India and was built at a cost of $280,000 (43% was paid by the government) to convert water into 3,500 kg. of steam. This steam is used to cook food for a reported 20,000 people, who are visiting the shrine of Sai Baba, a 19th century saint.