The Latest Flexible Solar Panels Offer

Nov. 28, 2009 - PRLog -- One of my hobbies includes the use of solar energy with my portable radio equipment. Until flexible solar panels came along, the more expensive fixed solar panels were the only choice for charging batteries used with portable radio equipment. Today, flexible solar panels have replaced the need for expensive, heavy silicon panels in a portable setting.


Not only are these flexible solar panels lightweight but they are made using inexpensive organic materials. Flexible solar panels can be made transparent, aesthetically pleasing, and environment friendly. Among other companies, Solarmer Energy recently made solar news because they designed an constructed a tent with flexible solar panels integrated directly into the fabric of the tent.


Although there were no photos or drawings of the Solarmer Energy tent interior, I imagined that there was some form of a 12VDC outlet or connection available where a cell phone or
other gadget could be recharged by the tent! Flexible solar cells are ideal for any application where smart fabrics and organic photovoltaics can be integrated.


Progress has also been made with the design of rigid solar panels. Dr. Yue Wu, Director of Research and Development at Solarmer Energy recently stated that advances in polymer materials and manufacturing of organic photovoltaics now provide for the use of rigid solar panels in cell phones, GPS Navigation systems, and laptop bags.


Fully transparent solar cells have also been in the solar news recently because the highly anticipated photovoltaic cells are very close to integration into window products. Transparent lightweight, flexible, plastic solar panels are expected to cost a fraction of the cost of silicon solar panels. It is expected that transparent flexible solar panels will continue to be in the solar news as they break into new markets that are out of reach with today’s expensive, rigid silicon solar technology.


As organic solar panels become integrated into mainstream manufacturing, solar news will first be about their use in portable digital electronic devices (such as cell phones and laptops) and outdoor lifestyle applications. Smart fabrics and photovoltaics that are integrated into building materials will also be making solar news very soon.


Waterproof flexible solar panel solutions are available today. These units fold to about the size of a paperback book to create a lightweight, portable power station for campers, hikers, boaters and others on the go. A flexible solar panel under full sun will charge lanterns, cell phones, GPS units, iPods®, cameras and just about any other device with a 12V car adapter. Flexible solar panels can be easily rolled up for a multitule of portable uses. Flexible solar panels are generally available in. 6.5, 12, and 25 watt capacities.


More reviews and news about flexible solar panels and other alternative energy sources will be featured soon at http://www.onthesource.com/solar-chargers/

# # #

onThesource Electronic Technology(Shenzhen) Co.,Ltd.
4C, BaoHua Building,
Nanhai Main Road, Futian District
518054 Shenzhen
China

Tel: +86-755-83751869
Fax: +86-755-83751879
Website: http://www.onThesource.com