Every year, countless riding mowers are discarded while still structurally sound. With a few off-the-shelf parts and an electric motor, these machines can be given a second life—as solar-powered mobile generators.

Not only can they be charged by the sun, they’re also simple to operate, require far less maintenance than gas engines, and can even serve as backup power during outages. It’s a creative, practical way to reduce waste and build resilience.