Architect Sheila Kennedy has developed a method of integrating solar cell technology into our everyday lives. Her team has created the ‘Soft House’, which is powered by household curtains made from organic photovoltaics.
While being less efficient than their silicon cousins, the organic photovoltaics used in the curtains in the Soft House can create close to 16,000 watt-hours of electricity – more than half the daily power usage of a U.S. household.
The solar textiles can be modified and molded without any manufacturing process making them more user friendly and at the same time, portable. These factors may get more people involved in solar energy collection.
As well as using them for curtains, I have another idea. Say you have a big backyard that gets a lot of sun, you could roll out your solar fabric on the lawn like you might hang out your washing on a sunny day.
Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing solar textiles around just yet as they’re very expensive to produce. I can certainly see demand for the technology though and remember, they’ll pay for themselves.
Sources:
Inhabitat
Kennedy & Violich Architecture