Solar panels are the hot fashion in energy solutions, but can you imagine them walking a runway? No, we are not spinning a yarn. With solar fabric, they do just that, and have appeared on everything from rucksacks in the Netherlands to trousers in Japan.
Solar fabric goes beyond catwalks, though. Its versatile harvesting of sunshine energy has life-saving applications. While the concept of solar panels being embedded into fabric isn’t new, the unobtrusive integration of cells into almost any material is a bright new development. Let’s shed some light on how it works and explore some practical applications for everyday life.
What is solar fabric?
Solar fabric is a type of pliable solar panel, usually created by combining solar cell technology with durable polymer materials. Like traditional solar panels, solar fabric cells generate electricity by harnessing the power of the sun. These solar cells can be integrated into softer materials using several methods:
Organic photovoltaic (OPV) textiles
Organic solar cells are made from very thin layers of carbon-based (organic) materials, usually only about 100 nanometres thick. Originally designed as an inexpensive alternative to silicon-based solar panels, they are flexible, lightweight, and more sustainable than other options.
Unlike the OPV film-based version, organic photovoltaic textiles can be stitched onto fabric, giving them greater application potential, such as the tensile fabric architecture of canopies and sails.
Thin-film solar cell fabric
Created by layering solar film cells onto a substrate like plastic, ultra-thin solar cells can be laminated onto almost any material. In 2022, MIT researchers developed new thin-film cells, which use screen printing to deposit photovoltaic materials onto textile substrates.
Another variant is dye-sensitised solar cell (DSSC) fabric, which uses a sensitiser molecule, typically a dye, to convert sunlight into renewable energy.
Crystalline-silicon embedded textiles
An emerging technology that integrates tiny cylindrical cells directly into fibres. These threads can then be woven into cloth, concealing the solar cells from view and protecting them from the elements.
A Finnish study from 2022 discovered that the majority of a group of crystalline-silicon-embedded textiles maintained their full solar conversion efficiency even after 50 washes.
Solar fabric applications
Thanks to these new developments, solar technology installation is no longer limited to set materials. It can now be attached to almost any surface, including:
1. Clothing
When you think of sustainable fashion, you may picture clothes made from eco-friendly materials or perhaps bought second-hand. By using solar fabric to create clothing, sustainable fashion could take on a whole new meaning.
CAPTION: Photo courtesy of Lisolette Fleur.
Designer Pauline van Dongen has been creating solar clothing since 2013. Examples include jackets that allow you to charge mobile devices and running sweatshirts that light up in the dark.
2. Tents and canvases
Solar-powered tents and canvases have traditionally required bulky solar cells to work. Fine for glampers, perhaps, but not great for anyone carrying a tent far distances. By weaving solar technology into the fabric of the canvas, emergency tents and shelters can be enhanced with life-saving energy sources for heat and light.
3. Mobile electronics
Solar fabric may become the future of mobile and wearable electronics, allowing users to charge their devices on the go. These could have many practical applications, especially for:
- Medical professionals in remote areas who need to carry emergency supplies. By incorporating solar cells into emergency “suitcases,” they can utilise a mobile power source for light and essential medical equipment.
- Athletes‘ fitness trackers must last several hours during long-distance races. With solar fabric integrated into watch straps or running packs, runners and cyclists can charge their mobile phones, smartwatches, and heart-rate monitors even in the middle of events.
- Military personnel using solar rucksacks and canvas jackets to collect energy for battery storage, allowing electronic device use even in remote locations.
4. Buildings
Solar panels are often too heavy for building facades, a problem that is easily overcome by ultralight fabric solar cells. These may also be a good option for mobile homes and canal boats, which are unable to bear the heavy weight of several glass panels.
5. Electric vehicle (EV) charging
Too many electric vehicles get stranded when unable to find a working EV charging station. But what if thin and flexible solar cells were attached to the vehicle itself? Consumer solar cars are not yet mainstream, but developments are underway to reduce cost and increase efficiency. In the meantime, solar fabric can be used on solar carports for EV charging.
Pros of solar fabric
Solar fabric technology offers a range of practical advantages that make it an exciting and versatile option for renewable energy generation. It is, for example:
- Lightweight: Solar fabrics are lighter than traditional solar panels, as they are not manufactured with metal and glass. MIT researchers have developed solar cells that are one-hundredth the weight of conventional panels, enabling easier installation on structures with weight limitations.
- Flexible: Solar fabrics are highly flexible, allowing them to conform to various surfaces, including curved or irregular shapes. This makes them suitable for applications where rigid panels are impractical.
- Scalable: The development of printable, paper-thin solar cells suggests that solar fabrics will soon be able to be produced quickly, facilitating widespread adoption.
- A quick energy source: The lightweight and flexible nature of solar fabrics allows for rapid deployment and quick energy generation in various settings, including emergencies and remote locations.
- Inexpensive: Solar fabrics can be produced using cost-effective materials and processes. For instance, some flexible solar cells are made by printing ink onto thin plastic films, which helps reduce manufacturing costs compared to traditional silicon-based panels.
Cons of solar fabric
Despite its promise, solar fabric has a few limitations. These may be overcome as technology advances, but at present, it is weaker than standard solar panels in the following ways:
- Lower efficiency: Solar fabrics have lower power conversion efficiencies compared to traditional solar panels. While monocrystalline panels can achieve efficiencies of 20–22%, flexible solar fabric efficiency typically ranges from 10%-15%.
- Shorter lifespan: Flexible solar cells tend to degrade more quickly than traditional panels, usually requiring replacement every 10–15 years, compared to the 25–30-year lifespan of rigid alternatives.
- Require more space: Due to their lower efficiency, flexible solar cells require more space to generate the same amount of electricity as conventional solar cells. This makes them more suitable for smaller-scale applications.
- Not widely available: Though the technology is there, solar fabric is not yet widely available for commercial purposes.
Solar Panel Installation by Perfect Sense Energy
Solar fabric is a rising star in the world of renewable energy, but it’s still a long way from widespread availability. For now, traditional solar panels remain a reliable solution for commercial purposes. Durable, easy to install, and cheaper than other energy sources, solar panels can save you money and make your business more sustainable.
If you are exploring ways to bring renewable energy into your premises, our team at Perfect Sense Energy can help you take the next step.
