A rather interesting photo from a Pravda photoset showcasing the latest in Summer wear for ladies – a bikini covered in tiny solar panels to charge iPods, phones and any other electronic gadgets you just have to use on the beach :
A little background from ecouterre :
Brooklyn-based designer Andrew Schneider is now taking orders for his solar-powered bikini. Capable of charging your cellphone or MP3 player, the high-tech swimsuit comprises thin, flexible photovoltaic film strips and USB connectors, woven together with conductive thread. Each bikini, coming in at just under $200, is entirely hand-stitched, requiring an average of 80 hours to make. No need to worry about your iPod running out of juice; the solar bikini will charge your favorite gadgets while you soak up the rays.
Interesting idea even if the sewn in panels do give the impression of a medieval chastity belt:
I wonder how the various panels are connected to each other. Since you need several to be in series to provide a decent output voltage, I hope the designer arranges them so that there are always sufficient on any one side to do some good.
As with any battery, it only takes one dud cell to kill the entire string, and since it’s impossible for the whole area of the bikini to be in sunlight, this needs to be taken into consideration.
microdave – I was thinking that myself but was somewhat distracted from the body it was draped around.
Seriously though it is possibly about the best idea I have seen for the use of solar panels – if you are wearing the thing then its sunny and it serves a need. Not very economical though (just like the roof mounted ones) – the guy spends 80 hours sewing them and still only sells them for $200 – after the cost of the parts he wil be making bugger all for his efforts.