Flexible Solar Technology

If scaled up and applied to a typical rooftop , MIT's new solar cells would only weigh around 20 kg (44 lb)

Energy

MIT's slimmed-down solar cells would add only 20 kg to a rooftop

Solar cells that are thin and flexible hold unique promise, as they could be applied to all kinds of irregular or otherwise unsuitable surfaces. Thinner than a human hair, a new lightweight solar cell continues to push the envelope in this space.

Scientists at Empa have developed a new CIGS flexible solar cell with a record efficiency of 21.38 percent

Energy

New efficiency record edges flexible solar cells closer to the mainstream

Scientists in Switzerland have been working to bring the efficiency of CIGS flexible solar cells up to the levels offered by rigid solar cells, and have taken another step toward this goal by setting a new record of 21.4 percent.

Select projects in Europe will be the first to have Maxeon Air panels installed, ahead of general availability in early 2022

Energy

Frameless solar panels can be stuck directly to rooftops

Maxeon Solar Technologies reckons that it's come up with a way to install PV panels on the roofs of buildings that may not be able to support conventional setups, creating frameless, thin and lightweight panels that can be adhered directly to a roof.

Bradley Brister created the SunUp solar backpack charger prototype as part of his degree at Brunel University, London

Outdoors

SunUp solar panel system powers hikers or outdoor adventurers

Dubbed SunUp, the solar backpack device was designed in collaboration with The North Face and features a 15-W solar panel that's capable of fully charging a 4,000-mAh battery within 12 hours.

The roll-out solar panels being trials on Flat Holm Island were developed by UK firm Renovagen

Energy

Roll-out solar panels to power Welsh island

Solar panels that can be unfurled like carpet could be a game changer where portable power solutions are needed. Cardiff Council in the UK is about to test out this technology on a small island off the coast of Wales, as a new way of possibly shoring up its energy requirements for the future.

The HeLi-on solar panel is designed to generate up to 3 W of power under standard conditions

Electronics

HeLi-on flexible solar panel rolls up to portable power party

The HeLi-on further expands on the idea of portable power generation with a flexible solar cell that rolls out from a compact package to soak up more rays. Electricity generated is stored on the device's inbuilt rechargeable battery and outputted via USB.

The flexible solar strip installed on the curved bus shelter roofPhoto courtesy of Faculty of Engineering, McMaster University

Good Thinking

Flexible solar strips shed light on bus waiting times

Flexible solar cell technology that provides enough clean, affordable power to light bus shelters and provide internet-based updates of transport schedules has been developed by researchers at McMaster University.