SunPower recently announced it is adding a solar energy monitoring application from Android-powered smartphones to its SunPower Monitoring System portfolio, which will allow homeowners to track the performance of their residential solar energy systems.
"With the SunPower Monitoring System, our customers can optimize their solar investment by monitoring their energy production and usage in real-time using their smartphones," said David Henry, chief marketing officer for SunPower. "These monitoring tools can be used online or via mobile devices, empowering homeowners to track the efficiency of their systems anytime and from practically any location."

The Android application allows homeowners to also track their home energy usage, trends and view the history of how their home energy usage is being influenced by their solar energy systems.

Another breakthrough in technology utilizing the power of solar energy with smartphones comes from Genesis Electronics Group, which introduced the SunBlazer, a smartphone wrap-around cover and charger.

The new product is specifically designed for the iPhone 4 and can gain power from solar energy or an integrated USB connection. The SunBlazer begins to charge the iPhone when it reaches a certain power level.