Prototyping with solar power
When discussing energy harvesting technologies, solar power is a popular, if not the most popular, option. And, it’s really no wonder why. There are so many benefits to solar, from reduced air pollution to cost savings. The benefits are so great in fact, that product and industrial designers have been incorporating solar power into their projects. These are typically smaller-sized applications, however, that do not require acres of land and large panels. So, how exactly can solar be used in prototyping? Well, there are several ways.
HISTORY OF SOLAR
The origins of solar power can be traced all the way back to the 1800s. According to Smithsonian Magazine, a physicist by the name of Edmond Becquerel discovered the Photovoltaic Effect. This is a process that produces an electric current when exposed to light or radiant energy. The first solar powered device would not be invented for another 50 or so years, however, and solar panels would not be widely used until the 1970s and 80s.
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH SOLAR
There are many benefits to working with solar, and they’re not just environmental.
Easy to Integrate
Solar panels, especially smaller ones, are insanely easy to integrate into prototypes. In most cases, they can be mounted with mounting screws onto fabric, wood, or any other smooth surface. Currently, several researchers are working on solar panels that can be sewn on top of or woven directly into textiles.
2. Cost Effective
It is a fact that solar power is more cost effective than standard electric power. And, part of that is because all you need is sun and a solar charger. When it comes to comparing the cost between the two, large-scale solar power can save the average household between $10,000 and $30,000 a year, depending on where you live. However, in smaller scale applications, such as electronic devices, the benefits are mostly felt in the energy that is saved as opposed to money.
3. Lots of Capabilities
It is amazing just how much solar power can do for a product. It can provide a wide range of capabilities to products such as power for lighting, heating, motion, and charging. Among our favorites is heating, as it truly shows how solar power can be used for a practical and functional purpose. In this case, a solar panel would be used to charge a battery that powers the heating element. If you want to make, say, a heated wearable; all you need to do is apply a flexible solar panel to the jacket and then connect to a battery to power the temperature sensor(s).
EXAMPLE PROJECTS
Solar Safety Bag
Amped Atelier created a Solar Safety Bag using our e-textile components, LEDs, and a medium solar panel from Adafruit. This bag charges a phone using solar power, and features safety lighting; perfect for nighttime bike rides or walks across campus after a late class.
Solar Lunchbox
Keep your lunch hot or cold with this solar heated/cooling lunchbox! Half an hour or so before your lunch break starts, you press the switch to power up the batteries that are charged by a solar panel. These batteries ensure that your meal is the optimal temperature for devouring.
Solar USB Charger
Should you need a USB charger, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, make your own! With this solar USB charger, you can charge your phone and other portable electronics on-the-go. All you need is a simple 2W solar panel, a solar battery charger, and a few other materials.
PRODUCTS TO SHOP
Some fun and affordable solar-powered components and accessories to shop from our friends at Adafruit and Sparkfun.
Solar Powered Skull LED
The Solar Power Skull LED Pendant by Lumen Electronic is fun kit that only requires a bit of soldering to create a battery-less blinking skull. This pendant takes around an hour to make and it can be charged with either a USB or the power of the sun! It takes less than 2 minutes or so to fully charge through the USB, and 15 minutes from direct sunlight.
2W Solar Panel
This durable solar panel is perfect for indoor or outdoor applications. and is capable of 2 watts in the open sun with a peak power output around 6V. We highly recommend using this for phone chargers or any other hard surface application.
Solar Lithium-Ion Charger
This specialized USB/Solar Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery charger is perfect for outdoor projects, or DIY device chargers. And, it’s easy to use! This charger works best with 3.7V/4.2V Lithium-Ion batteries and a 6V solar panel.
Solar power is the future of energy, and if we want to preserve power in our electronics, wearables, and other devices, we need to consider this as a viable option. So, try it out and take it for a spin. You never know what you may produce while prototyping with solar.