In short, textile-based solar cells could soon be adding a whole new dimension to photovoltaics, complementing the use of conventional silicon-based solar cells. Solar panels on building roofs are a common enough sight today – as are large-scale solar parks. In the future, we may well see other surfaces being exploited for photovoltaic generation.
Solar cell fabric is a fabric with embedded photovoltaic (PV) cells which generate electricity when exposed to light. Traditional silicon based solar cells are expensive to manufacture, rigid and fragile. Although less efficient, thin-film cells and organic polymer based cells can be produced quickly and cheaply.
Based on the application, PV textiles can be summarized as follows: (1) units that power sensors and other electronics integrated into a textile substrate; and (2) units for the large-scale use of solar power from canopies, sunshades, covers, and other similar installations .
Solar cells are an option for powering active electronics on textiles, but should be fully integrated to avoid compromising the flexibility and handle of the basic fabric.
Textile-based washable polymer solar cells for optoelectronic modules: toward self-powered smart clothing. Energy Environ Sci. 2019; 12:1878.
Information about solar cell technology its application in textiles is elaborated in the article. Textile fabrics nowadays possess a multitude of applications. Along with the major use in apparels,they have wide uses in technical applications ,ranging fromconventional bulk bags to sophisticated medical implants.