Harnessing Clean Energy using Solar Fabrics

It may seem bizarre if someone tells you that he can capture solar energy with the help of curtains, but it is very much possible today; thanks to the development in Photovoltaic research in last one decade. With this technology it is surprisingly realistic to charge your phone or laptop every time you draw your curtains.

Solar Fabric

Though this concept is quite new and fascinating the basic technology behind this date back to 1839 when a French physicist experimentally demonstrated photoelectric effect with which light can be converted into electricity. Later one of the great scientists & philosopher Albert Einstein was bestowed with noble prize for his explanation of this vey phenomenon in 1921.

The absence of mature technology for manufacturing flexible solar cell always prevented scientists and engineers to come up with fabric like materials that can harness sun light, but not anymore. A USA based firm Kennedy & Violich is working on manufacturing fabric which looks similar to an ordinary cloth but in reality is a photoelectric material. A significant number of firms are working toward incorporating similar kind of technology in fashion. Pictures below depict prototype of jacket with built in flexible solar panels designed by an institute based out of Germany. This jacket gives user a provision of charging any USB powered device. Also the energy harnessed by these apparels during day can be stored for use during the night.

If such a solar fabric is available that too at an affordable price it will be a boon to human efforts of saving earth’s resources. Just think about the numerous ways one could use such innovative fabric. For example you could refurbish your old couch; cover it up with solar fabric and put it on your terrace to harness energy!

As far as the background working of Photovoltaic cell (solar cell) is considered, it is quite straight forward. When the sun light is absorbed by the solar cell, the photons of light give their energy to electrons there by generating current & thus electricity. The conventional solar cells are made from silicon which is highly efficient and long lasting but not completely green (or environment friendly). Other Solar cell technologies include CdTe, CIGS, Organic PV and Concentration PV.

By Ajaypal Singh Dhillon – Asst. Prof. ECE, Chitkara University H.P.