Solar Textiles for Off-grid Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Solar textiles offer the ability to democratize solar technology and provide portable and reliable power to the off-grid populace in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The textile platform allows for reduced cost and installation training for solar energy provision, as well as increased environmental awareness and development of a knowledge bridge between the solar and textile industries. However, for the successful development and adoption of solar e-textiles, solar technology must be integrated in a manner sensitive to local textile traditions and economies. In this project, we developed a concept that integrates small bead-like solar cells primarily using stitching techniques and characterized this technique's energy output and fabrication parameters. A proof-of-concept design was fabricated by incorporating 40 through-hole miniature solar cells into a garment without compromising functionality and aesthetics. We estimate the maximum total power that can be harvested from this energy harvesting garment to be g1/416.47mW (0.46 mW/cm 2) with 40 miniature solar cells. A simulated energy harvesting garment with 640 solar cells is projected to harvest g1/4294.4mW. This power output can charge a 3.7V 100mAh Lipo battery in about 1.5 to 2 hours under direct sunlight.