Introducing Inflatable Solar Panels!

April 23, 2008

An English company, IDC, has announced plans to mass-produce an inflatable solar panel and make it commercially available for less than 100 pounds ($200) , a great leap forward in making green energy available to the masses.

Image courtesy of IDC

The SolarStore panels, which inflate from a backpack into a 2 meter square, are designed to replace hot water heaters, one of the primary consumers of power in most households. Below is an illustration of how it works:

how inflatible solar panels work

Capable of heating up to 3 full tanks of water, IDC envisions the panels being used primarily in developing nations as a cheap alternative to the hot water heaters, but points out that their system pays back its cost in six months, while other domestic solar systems take 10-20 years to return the initial investment.

In pure terms of environmental impact, IDC has an amazing product– the panel will, in each case that it replaces a hot water heater, stop the output of 0.2 tons of carbon dioxide each year, and has been designed to wear well under heavy weather.

With patents secured and manufacturing facilities in place, IDC is now seeking potential distributors in the UK and rest of the world. I have to say, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Via a press release sent to us by Emma Lee
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Written by Ben · Filed Under Science/Tech

Comments

10 Responses to “Introducing Inflatable Solar Panels!”

LMstuff
Posted: Apr 23rd, 2008 at 11:44 pm

Great Idea! I wonder how long it would last before it gets inefficient or needs to be replaced? This could bring hot water to Third world countries if the price could be brought down to within reason. I wonder how long it takes to heat up under what conditions and how long the temperature stays hot enough once the sun goes down? Also a anti-microbial coating on the inside wouldn’t hurt!

Good Job! One invention at a time. If we all do our little part this world can only get better!

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gatzke
Posted: Apr 24th, 2008 at 12:20 am

Why not take it further and make the inner layer conduct electricity which powers “heater rods” inside the dark layer.

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Rob
Posted: Apr 24th, 2008 at 3:42 am

Then create it around a large hot air balloon and let it be a floating power plant!

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gord
Posted: Apr 24th, 2008 at 4:09 am
4

just be happy with the free hot water.

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Jeremy
Posted: Apr 24th, 2008 at 3:40 pm

This is a fantastic Idea for many applications. Those who would like a little more permanent solution that they can build themselves should look into the roof mounted solar water heaters from Mother Earth News magazine They give you the plans and explain all of the ins and outs on how to do it inexpensively. By the way I do not have any affiliation with them I just want to promote the idea.

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Donna
Posted: Apr 26th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

FANTASTIC!

…sad, though, that this could probably have been done and put into use 30 years ago were it not for legal patent issues (even in the U.K.), politics, and financial mazes. This is just an example of how (unfortunately) alternative energy has been forced to sit on itself for too long, while energy and lives have been wasted. CHEER UP, CHAP! “Today is the first day of the rest of our lives.”

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LS
Posted: Apr 28th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
7

It is a “water heater” not a “hot water heater”!!!!!

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Ken Josh
Posted: May 2nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm

How do I get One-or More
What are the specifications & how much water & how hot

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Xetheare
Posted: May 4th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

lol There’s no such thing as a “hot water heater”. It’s a water heater, silly.

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Ken Foyn
Posted: May 10th, 2008 at 9:03 am

I have invented a panel that is solar heated here in South Africa,see my website,
The panel seen in the photo would make a nice jumping platform for kidsif put on the ground.

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