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Solar Powered Clothing

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Eriks

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Solar power is already becoming a mainstream source of energy all over the western hemisphere. At this point however it is used almost exclusively by large corporations which can afford to set up hundreds of cubic meters of solar panels. Most people are still in doubt about whether switching to solar panels for their houses is worth it or not, since it costs quite a lot.

What about smaller scale uses of solar panels? One smaller scale use of solar panels has already been designed – in clothing.

The idea is that clothes would be specially outfitted with solar panels, and electronic devices could be charged by just plugging them in to the solar panel’s battery (which is in one of the pockets of the clothing) and walking around in the sun for a while. This would save money by making people use electricity less at home, as well as maybe eventually making batteries obsolete.

Silvr Lining has developed a range of clothing items that feature pockets to house solar panels to charge up mobile electronic devices, the theme in their new GO Collection.

The GO Collection includes a hip-length, Bush-style Director’s Jacket, hooded Utility Vest, 3/4 length Myer’s Topper overcoat and Urban Cargo Pant, letting you have solar powered energy in every possible garment you wear.

All garments are made from Ultrasuede, a 100 percent polyester fabric that feels like natural suede but is resistant to stains and discoloration, is easy to wash and dry, and is animal-friendly. The clothes (as of now) come in two colors; olive green, or stone gray.

All articles of clothing in the range feature specially designed pockets to house the independently functioning solar power supply panels, which measure 6 x 8 inches (15 x 20 cm) and output power that is tailored for automatic charging of mobile electronic devices. The chargers can of course be removed from the clothing, and support USB 2.0.

All the pieces of the GO Collection include two solar panels, while additional units can be purchased separately for the Director’s Jacket, which can accommodate up to four panels.

Even so – the solar panel jacket isn’t cheap compared to most clothing. The price ranges from US$920 for the Urban Cargo Pant up to $1,260 for the Myer’s Topper. Additional solar panels cost $175 each.

Of course the GO collection isn’t the only solar powered clothing collection in the market, it reveals the concept of hoe they work however.
In terms of strength, most clothing solar panels will convert about 5 percent of the light that hits them into electricity, whereas typically solar panels with silicon cells are 16 percent to 20 percent efficient. The actual amount of energy created differs between item.
The clothes can also be heated up by the solar panels, so people can be warm during the winters.
Developers believe that the clothing will become mainstream in the next 20 years when solar panels have become cheaper themselves.

Sources:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2000633.stm

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9891134-54.html

http://blog.cleantechies.com/2008/10/23/solar-powered-clothing/

http://www.gizmag.com/go-collection-of-solar-charging-clothing/17323/picture/126538/

Comments

4 responses to “Solar Powered Clothing”

  1. AdamD Avatar
    AdamD

    I think that solar powered clothing is a great idea to reduce the amount of space taken up by types of renewable resources. I am worried however if people will buy such products due to the style. If the product is to become popular and widely bought by people, it needs to be stylish and fashionable.

  2. BenG Avatar
    BenG

    I really like the idea that the solar clothing can be heated up by solar panels to stay warm during winter, but well Im guessing this clothing is still a prototype, but if it were to become mainstream, they would have to start designing more variation on the clothing, like Adam said, because if everyone starts wearing them in 20 years from now, and they all look the same, it will seem weird for people to be wearing exactly the same what other people is wearing.

  3. mnaguib Avatar
    mnaguib

    The idea of using solar panels at a smaller scale is another great attempt to save energy. It is a very intelligent way to create one’s own portable and renewable energy source, however the target market in this case, may be a concern. As AdamD already mentioned, buying a stylish and fashionable piece of clothing is a main concern for consumers, and I think that average people would not consume such a product in their daily lives.

    But I believe that this clothing line can be of great use and sucess, if it switches it’s target market to factory workers and farm industries. If the clothes are designed specifically for a farmer, for example, who spends most of the day out in the fields and exposed to sunlight, an immense amount of renewable energy can be generated daily, simply by wearing that specific outfit to work. Solar paneled pants for such a farmer or carpenter for example, would be a great way to gather energy for their tools and electric devices. Companies and factories can save alot of money if they provide their workers with a line of solar powered clothing, which in turn would be an affordable alternative energy source to recharge electronic devices and working tools.

  4. DAMIAN Avatar
    DAMIAN

    What is the voltage rating on these? How long does it take to charge. I feel it is a wonderful jumping off point but it certainly has a lot of work that needs to be done.

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