The recently opened Finolhu Villa in the Maldives is the world's first 100 percent solar-powered luxury resort. (Yuji Yamazaki Architecture PLLC)

Located in the bright blue waters of the Kaafu Atoll in the Maldives, the resort isn't just totally breathtaking– it's the world's first 5-star resort to be 100 percent powered by the sun's energy.

Designed by Yuji Yamazaki, the 12.6-acre resort is outfitted with 67,000 square feet of solar panels that account for all of the energy produced on the island.

"The burden of global CO2 reduction lies primarily with a few large economies, however achieving carbon neutrality on this small island nation could be a template for future developments in larger countries," Yamazaki writes on the project's website.

(MORE: )

The solar energy is stored in a battery that can generate 900 kilo-watts on the typical sunny day, plenty for the resort's 100-guest, 100-staff capacity across the 52 villas and the accompanying restaurant, bar, spa and gym.

"We wanted to do something different and sustainable. I believe renewable energy is not just the future for tourism, but for all other industries as well," resort owner Champa Hussain Afeef said at the ceremony when Finolhu Villas first officially opened.

With a population density similar to what you'd find in a city like Miami, the resort sets an example for beachside communities across the globe.

(MORE: )

"In theory, if Miami and other cities in Florida could delegate 12 percent of their land or rooftops to solar panels, the sunshine would give the state of Florida something more than just a nickname—clean energy," Yamazaki writes.

The resort doesn't just stop at solar power. It's also designed to use minimal energy, optimizing airflow through windows so that guests don't need to turn on the air conditioning. According to Inhabitat, the island also has and the resort is landscaped so as to minimize erosion along the fragile beaches.

(MORE: )

It's also cost efficient. No longer needing to import diesel fuel, the architects estimate the , Arch Daily reports.

"This project was an architect’s dream come true," Yamazaki told Inhabitat. "The chance to imagine a resort in this gorgeous setting and to experiment to meet the challenge of energy independence has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: 12 Stunning Overwater Bungalow Resorts

1. Viceroy Bocas del Toro, Panama

Although it's not opening until 2019, the Viceroy Bocas del Toro Panama is sending ripples of excitement through the region as it will feature 42 private overwater villas, each with its own private plunge pool and deck to to the ocean, and offering stunning views of the Caribbean coast. (Viceroy Bocas del Toro Panama)