High fashion and highly functional
August 5th, 2013
The desire to realize a textile solar energy harvesting surface that offers maximum design freedom while still being highly efficient was the driving force behind The Solar Handbag, initiated by Swiss embroidery company Forster Rohner AG and conducted in a joint research project with Swiss partners, Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil and the NTB Buchs. It […]
NRG launches Solar Canopy
June 25th, 2013
New product will provide energy without additional solar panels or connecting to the electricity grid. At Fortune's Brainstorm Green conference, NRG Energy CEO David Crane unveiled a new product that provides shade and solar energy. The Solar Canopy will launch by the end of the year, according to NRG, and be available in four sizes […]
Solar fabrics bring power to the people
September 1st, 2012
Commercial success for large-scale flexible solar fabrics may be just around the corner Fabrics that capture energy are gaining traction in the consumer marketplace. Solar backpacks, solar umbrellas, solar purses and even solar clothing can be ordered with a few mouse clicks. But what about awnings, rooftops, boat covers and other large-scale fabric applications? Installations […]
Power-producing fabric sets sail
August 1st, 2011
Patents have been granted to a team at Bolton University, Bolton, U.K., for a flexible cloth that can generate electricity from both solar cells (power from sunlight) and piezoelectric fibers (power from kinetic motion). Among the potential applications for the fabric: sails on a schooner that can provide electricity while catching the wind, computer bags […]