Photovoltaic Fabric

Konarka, a developer of organic photovoltaics cells that are flexible and light, have announced their work in collaboration with Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, to develop fabrics which generate power using light. The photovoltaic fibers and textiles is expected to yield the first fully integrated woven photovoltaic material.

 

Daniel Patrick McGahn, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Konarka, said "Photovoltaic textiles could positively increase the number of applications available to solar technology by extending integration to objects made from fabrics, such as garments, tents or coverings. We'll be able to offer to the marketplace practical new products, such as wearable power generation for mobile electronics made from the solar fabric."

 

Pther possible applications were cited as being light-activated power plastic onto tenting materials, such as canvas or nylon. Using the fiber, the tent's base material becomes photovoltaic.

 

The joint venture is expected to take one year.