- A solar cell fabric is a material embedded in photovoltaic (PV) cells that generate electricity when exposed to light.
- As the light falls on a solar cell, the electrons in the absorber layer get excited from a lower-energy or ground state. The electric field yields a collective motion to the electrons that move past the electrical contact layers to an external circuit.
- Heliatek, Solivus, and Armor companies are some leading innovators in solar cell fabric.
- If the pliable property of the silicon photovoltaic panel is achieved, there is the risk of breaking the seal, which would not absorb sunlight and convert it into electrical energy.
Ditching the electricity and its negative impact, everything solar is all the rage. You name it, from solar lights and heaters to solar chimneys, solar-powered radios, and even solar vehicles, they’re available.
It’s fascinating how the solar energy that’s so readily available can become of such great use. Well, if you’re also intrigued by the magic of solar power and want to know how it works, you’re in the right place.
A solar panel is a primary tool that absorbs sunlight and helps create energy that we can use. These panels require no maintenance and are very environment-friendly.
While there are many contributing factors to the efficient working of a solar panel, the solar cell is the most important one. But now, the solar cells are even available in a fabric form, which allows more flexibility than ever before.
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What is Solar Fabric Cell?
A solar cell fabric is a material embedded in photovoltaic (PV) cells that generate electricity when exposed to light. In other words, the fabric is used to make the cells. These cells, also known as Photovoltaic cells, are an integral part of the solar panel that consumes solar energy and converts it into electric power.
Some solar panels are of glass or other rigid materials that are durable, even in places like deserts. But, the metal and glass combo is not ideal for clothing. So, the idea of solar-powered fabrics is getting popular right now.
What’s impressive is – you can track your fitness level or keep your devices charged throughout the day. All because of the small and breathable solar panels on your jackets or t-shirts.
Also, what about your car seat, which charges your phone as you drive down the road? Now, let’s look at some of the benefits of solar cell fabric:
Benefits of Solar Cell Fabric
As you have got some idea about the solar cell fabric, now let’s talk about some of the benefits it offers:
- The thin film of solar cell fabric helps in absorbing solar energy.
- The solar cell fabric harvest light energy which further allows the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy.
- Building solar cells is environment-friendly.
- You can use solar cell fabric on various surfaces.
- It can be cost-effective because it can help you save electricity and, thus, the money you invest.
Working Mechanism
The working principle of solar cell fabric is very straightforward. As the light falls on a solar cell, the electrons in the absorber layer get excited from a lower-energy or ground state. In this stage, they are connected to specific atoms in the solid, to a higher or excited state in which they can pass through the solid object.
The free electrons are in random motion if the junction-forming layers are absent. So, there can be no Direct Current (DC) in this case. But junction-forming layers create a built-in electric field that produces the photovoltaic effect when there are junction-forming layers.
In effect, the electric field yields a collective motion to the electrons that move past the electrical contact layers to an external circuit.
The photovoltaic process has some similarities to the photosynthesis process. Since solar cells don’t work in the dark, the cells have backup energy stored in many applications. The most common means of saving this electrical energy is charging the electrochemical storage batteries. You can run the solar unit for long, even with no sunlight.
Innovation in Solar Fabric Cell
- In 2020, the University of Queensland Researcher team manufactured a record-breaking flexible solar skin solution for electricity conversion with 3.2% more efficiency than before.
- Heliatek is the initial company for industrial manufacturing of solar firms. The company has installed the largest organic photovoltaic system on the roof of the LA Rochelle school in France, which covers 15% of the school’s energy demand.
- In the UK, SOLIVUS is installing solar textile solutions on stadiums and agricultural structures’ roofs to develop solar fabric solutions.
- A 1992 carbon paper manufacturing company in France, ARMOR, launched ASCA, an organic photovoltaic film, in 2010, which is 100% reusable.
Challenges in Manufacturing Solar Fabric Cell
The light and unique concept of designing a cloth to generate electricity is not an easy task. Some challenges are:
- The photovoltaic panels are made of silicon glass which is not precisely a clothing fabric.
- The accessible bent property of efficient thin-film is hard to achieve.
- If the pliable property is achieved, there is the risk of breaking the seal, which would not absorb sunlight and convert it into electrical energy.
- Batteries should also be flexible and small to use this design in adequate potential.
Right now, solar cell fabrics are still in the testing phase. As per researchers, the materials can produce power by embedding the cell fabrics into items like clothing, curtains, and tents. As a result, you get solar fabric clothing and solar fabric products. You can use such items for various purposes.
But, such wearable solar products with photovoltaic power aren’t on the market yet. But in the meantime, you can keep your smartphone charged with a portable and convenient photovoltaic device.
Solar cell fabric may not be accessible, but affordable residential and commercial photovoltaic systems are available.
