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Inflatable Solar Panels Zip Together To Power Most Anything

by Jerry James Stone, San Francisco, CA on 08.31.09
Science & Technology

Inflatable Solar Skin
Illustration by Studio Formwork

This lightweight, inflatable solar panel concept brings renewable energy access to any building and without that pesky renovation.

Each eye-shaped piece has a white foam shell that measures 4 feet by 2.5 feet. Inside the foam housing is an inflatable polymer lined with thin-film solar cells printed on mylar. The pieces can then zip together for a variety of configurations.

In lieu of costly renovation for conventional panels, the configurable pieces would provide easy solar-power access to most any building . The foam housings can be strung with wire or structural tubing to meet the needs of any structure.

The pieces could also be used for completely off-grid temporary structures.

Inflatable Solar Skin
Illustration by Studio Formwork

Inflatable Solar Skin
Illustration by Studio Formwork

Source: EcoFriend.org

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