Solar Soft House converts household curtains into household current

Bravo Sheila Kennedy, bravo. You might just save us from our gadget-obsessed selves if the Soft House you've designed can pump the 16,000 watt-hours you predict. The design features thin photovoltaic films woven into semi-transparent curtains. The idea is similar to the solar power ski-suits (seriously) we've seen. Unfortunately, a home fitted entirely in solar textiles is still too costly at the moment. Cost measured in cash, apparently.

[Magnulus Posted Jun 12th 2008 7:00AM]

Cool idea! I like it!

The cost is too costly, though?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 7:04AM]

Ugh, I thought I edited that out! Thx.

[flashpoint Posted Jun 12th 2008 8:08AM]

This would be best in parts of the world where it is daytime all year round.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 7:22AM]

A great idea would be to use this technology in sails for cruising boats.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 7:24AM]

... or as a bimini.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 12:57PM]

If only they had this at the time of building the millennium dome...

[Ethan Posted Jun 12th 2008 7:13AM]

You know when I bring the curtains out? When it's DARK.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 7:28AM]

Ethan, I hear what your saying but there are plenty of applications such as blinds in offices that this would work with.
(Myself, I have an issue with low sun at tea time and wanting to start on my projector b4 dark.....)

[joebrech Posted Jun 12th 2008 10:00AM]

I don't about you but it get the curtains out when watch TV to avoid glare.

[Ethan Posted Jun 12th 2008 10:26AM]

I don't think that's relevant energy-wise, though common. I think roof tiles would be a far more relevant choice, with a south facing house they'd be pretty much at the perfect angle to optimally receive the sun's ray's.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 7:30AM]

I'm sure architects could make a great use of it in house designs and such.

No need to actually use them as blinds, but that's a possibility.

[natels Posted Jun 12th 2008 9:04AM]

Do the metal people help conduct?

[melloncollie128 Posted Jun 12th 2008 9:28AM]

The people are there for scale.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 10:09AM]

wow mellon.....you are dumb.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 9:17AM]

The 16kWH estimation, what square footage and geographic region is it based upon?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 9:43AM]

Looks a lot like architect Shigeru Ban's "curtain wall house"

(google image search for it and see)

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 10:29AM]

Begley cloth? Finally!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 10:31AM]

I have visions of tents with this stuff... A nice, cool airconditioned tent...

[Blackfeather Posted Jun 12th 2008 1:26PM]

Just don't ever let your cats chew on them...

[rfong Posted Jun 12th 2008 2:06PM]

not available for homes with cats.

[keithwwalker Posted Jun 12th 2008 2:30PM]

What is needed is a fabric that incorporates piezo elements to generate electricity when the fabric flexes - then you can bust out the parachute pants and break dance for the environment!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 3:45PM]

Most.inefficient. angle. ever.



Except maybe if the face the ground. But it's close.

[Crockett Posted Jun 12th 2008 7:09PM]

LOVE IT!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2008 9:18AM]

I think Australian-made SLIVER solar cells are a good option. The cells based on this SLIVER technology might be woven into texitile.----judysolar.spaces.live.com