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Characterization of flexible solar panels for

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Iowa State University Iowa State University
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2017 Proceedings
 
 
St. Petersburg, Florida
 
 

Characterization of flexible solar panels for sustainable smart solar powered apparel

Chunhui Xiang, Mashud Alam, Samuel Vande Loo, Nicholaus Steffensmeier, Ran Dai, Eulanda
Sanders, Fatma Baytar, Ellen McKinney, Shannon Roth, Kathryn Kaalberg, Chanmi Hwang
Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA

Keywords: Flexible solar panels, tensile strength, washability, thermal comfort

Background and Problem. In quest of a green, clean and renewable source of energy,
considerable research efforts have been rendered on solar energy harvesting as an alternative
sustainable source of energy (Chu, Cui, & Liu, 2017). Research has been going on to fabricate
smart (i.e., able to interact with the environment or user) solar-powered apparel by integrating
solar fibers, solar tapes, metal electrodes, metal fabrics, and incorporating flexible solar cells into
the clothing systems to generate power for portable electronic devices (Wu, Kim, Guo, & Li,
2017). Among them, lightweight flexible thin film solar cells have been highly attractive for
diverse applications including portable electronic chargers, bendable display devices, and
wearable electronic textiles (Wu et al., 2017). Consumer acceptance of solar powered apparel has
also been studied. Hwang, Chung, and Sanders (2016) reported that consumers were equally
concerned about the aesthetics and functionality of solar powered apparel. However, the
durability and compatibility of the solar panels within apparel has not been examined. Therefore,
this research is designed to investigate several consumer concerns about solar-powered apparel,
including: (a) are they durable enough?, (b) are they washable?, and (c) are they thermally
comfortable?
Experimental Design. A series of tests were conducted on solar panels to answer our
research questions. Custom made solar panels including Wireless, Low light, and WeatherPro
series were purchased from PowerFilm Solar (Ames, IA, USA). The operating current capacity
of the panels was between 20 and 100 mA. The solar panels were fabricated by amorphous
silicon (Si) technology which is advantageous in fabricating highly flexible films with superior
energy harvesting capacity at low light situations (Schubert & Werner, 2006). The tensile
properties of the solar panels were tested using an Instron Universal Testing machine (model
5966, Universal Testing Systems, Norwood, MA, USA) following the guidelines of ASTM
D638-10. Five replicate measurements in both lengthwise and crosswise directions were
recorded using a 5 kN load cell and a strain rate of 50 mm/min. Washability was tested by using
five panels from Wireless series (SP3-37) and subjecting them to the test conditions in an SDL
Atlas Launder-Ometer® as per the AATCC test method 61. Three panels (one Wireless, one Low
Light, and one WeatherPro) were sewn to a jacket and washed in a high efficiency washer. The
impact of washing on energy harvesting capacity of the solar panels before and after wash was
evaluated. ASTM F1868 test method was employed to test the thermal comfort-related properties
of the solar films on sweating guarded hotplate. The test chamber condition was maintained at
25°C temperature, 65% relative humidity, and 1 m/s air speed. An average value of three tests
were recorded for analysis.

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© 2017, International Textile and Apparel Association, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ITAA Proceedings, #74 – www.itaaonline.org
 
  
 2017 Proceedings St. Petersburg, Florida
  
 

Results. The tensile test results demonstrate the durability of the solar panels. Figure 1a
shows a typical stress-strain curve of the panels. The tensile strength, elongation, and elastic
modulus of the solar panels were 55.4 MPa (5.5x107 N/m2), 22 %, and 1410 MPa respectively.
The panels have very high tensile strength and elongation values as compared to 260 g/m2
Nomex® fabric (strength and elongation values are 1.2x103 N/m2 and 41 % respectively). The
laundering test results for washability showed that panels were not deformed after washing. Solar
panels incorporated apparel can be washed with high efficiency washer without any deformation,
and the energy harvesting capacity remained unaffected (Figures 1b and 1c). The thermal
insulation (Rcf) and evaporative resistance (Ref) of the solar panels was 0.0517 m2 °C/W and
57.83 Pa m2/W, which indicate that the solar panels have very good heat conductivity but not
water vapor permeable.  
Figure 1. (a) Typical stress-strain
curve shows the films are strong and
tough (lengthwise). Solar film
attached cotton jacket (b) before (c)
after wash. No deformation was seen
after 5 cycle-washing.
a b c
Implications. The durability and compatibility of the solar panels and apparel were
studied by using the common textile characterization techniques. Flexible solar panels were
found to be strong enough to be incorporated into apparel. The very high elastic modulus was
concerning about flexibility, which may impose design restrictions in the final products. The
panels were also washable, which implies that they could be permanently attached to garments,
thereby simplifying design requirements for solar-powered apparel. It is well known that low
evaporative resistance indicates that water vapor can easily pass through the garment layers. A
clothing ensemble with a high value of thermal resistance is preferred in winter because it
ensures less heat loss from the human body to the environment. The low value of the thermal
insulation of the solar panels indicated that heat will not remain in the panels and overheated
issue will not happen in the solar panels area. This may favor the application of solar panels in
apparel.
References
Chu, S., Cui, Y., & Liu, N. (2017). The path towards sustainable energy. Nature Materials,
16(1), 16-22. doi:10.1038/nmat4834
Hwang, C., Chung, T.-L., & Sanders, E. A. (2016). Attitudes and purchase intentions for smart
clothing. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 34(3), 207-222.
Schubert, M. B., & Werner, J. H. (2006). Flexible solar cells for clothing. Materials Today, 9(6),
42-50. doi:10.1016/s1369-7021(06)71542-5
Wu, C., Kim, T. W., Guo, T., & Li, F. (2017). Wearable ultra-lightweight solar textiles based on
transparent electronic fabrics. Nano Energy, 32, 367-373.

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© 2017, International Textile and Apparel Association, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ITAA Proceedings, #74 – www.itaaonline.org

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