People who are enthusiastic about solar energy have had reason for excitement in recent years given the technology's growing use in a number of different applications, from transportation to shipping to electrical generation.

However, a recent announcement from Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency may offer the most exotic and futuristic use yet for solar power.

According to the agency, it plans to develop a space craft equipped with a solar "sail" that will capture particles emitted by the sun to propel the vehicle.

A Bloomberg News report said the solar sail will have a diameter of about 60 feet and will cost $16 million, with a launch date of May 18.

Astronomy enthusiasts may already be familiar with the solar sail concept, but this is expected to be one of the most significant steps yet towards making such technology a reality.

This isn't the only solar development that may be headed to space in the coming years. Some companies are also working on systems that would allow solar energy to be generated in orbit or the upper atmosphere and then beamed back down to Earth.