PHOTOVOLTAIC FABRICS ADD ENERGY IN DEISGN

The US Military has been an eraly adoptor of photovoltaic fabric products. Now products such as SMIT's Solar Ivy (pictured) and new Tensile Solar are available to add function to form and engergy to aesthetics.

Todd Dallard, president of FTL Solar LLC states, "I think every fabric product manufacturer in the future is going to be selling power as much as selling function in their product. We are talking to awning companies, sailboat sail makers, truck tarp, boat cover and geotextile companies."

Networking between technologies and fabirc manufactures is critical to develop commericially viable products. As Dallard points out photovoltaics are not as flexible as fabric, adding, "When you switch to electric fabric, now you are a power company and you have to integrate electric wire into the fabric product. All of the fabric panels have to be wired together. You will need electrical expertise to determine how much power you will generate and [to understand] electrical code manufacturing standards."

From IFAI's Specialty Fabrics Review magazine. Read the full article.

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