The world’s first electricity-generating fabric has been developed by Japanese solar company Sphelar Power Corporation and the textile industry R&D hub, the Industrial Technology Centre of Fukui Prefecture.
The textile incorporates interwoven spherical solar cells, which are aligned and connected as a thread, then woven into a fabric. The result is essentially a flexible and expandable photovoltaic module textile. The solar cells are connected through conductive wires to provide a source of light and heat. Each cell has an electrical output of 0.2 mW during the day, under clear skies.
The flexibility of the cloth makes it a suitable option for window dressings such as blinds and curtains, but probably not clothing in the short term. Researchers are still looking for a suitable coating for conductive wires and a way of improving the durability of the fabric.
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