13. Implications and applications¶
Research & Concept¶
In my final project, I want to explore the possibility of integrating solar projects into clothing. I believe this is one of the most relevant and promising directions in smart clothing and smart textiles today.
I live in Dilijan, in the mountains, where you can step out of the house and almost immediately find yourself on a hiking trail. It’s also a place with around 200–220 sunny or mostly sunny days per year. This matters because you can go on a long trek and, if needed, recharge your phone using energy that was generated naturally — by the sun itself. Solar energy is also about conscious consumption, or more precisely, about thoughtful use of natural resources. The sun shines anyway, and it can do more than just lift your mood — it can also be used to generate energy.
This idea is not new or unique. While researching it, I came across many different projects, ranging from university prototypes to solar-powered jackets by brands like Tommy Hilfiger.
Why I want to work on this
This is a huge challenge for me, because I honestly have no idea how to implement it technically. I’m not a technologist, not a physicist, and not a chemist. What I do have is experience in outerwear design and in creating products that are as functional as possible. Fabricademy, however, gave me the understanding that nothing is truly impossible. This is a project where research curiosity can be combined with real social value, if it succeeds.
What the final outcome could be
I don’t know yet — and that’s because the deeper I go into this topic, the broader the range of possible outcomes becomes. It could be a garment (a jacket or an accessory) with integrated solar panels. It could be a textile, like the work done by researchers at NTU. Or it could be a project that brings together Armenian crafts and electronics. And if we imagine that the technology of integrating solar panels into clothing, textiles, or knitwear proves to be truly successful, it might even be possible in the future to teach others — and in this way support the regional economy.
But that’s still very, very far ahead 🙂
WHAT
This is a product. But first, it is a technological research project — to understand how solar panels can be integrated into a product, how solar energy can be collected, and how it can then be used.
WHO
To start with, me and my family. I love trekking, and my husband has experience with long-distance hikes, so we will definitely test it on ourselves. Later, if the project is successful, it could be for other people who enjoy walking along sunny mountain trails.
WHY
Because this is also about sustainability — using what nature gives us. Because it’s a way to talk about solar energy and draw attention to it more broadly. Solar energy is growing quite fast in Armenia (in 2025, its share reached 17.2% of the country’s total electricity generation), but this share is still relatively small. Meanwhile, the fuels used to heat many homes (gas, diesel, firewood, waste oils) have a very negative impact on the environment.
Because this technology has a clear, practical application. And because it is not yet part of mass production — which means it’s not that simple.
HOW
I have never worked with electronics before, and it was Fabricademy that introduced me to this field. I plan to order ready-made flexible mini solar panels and learn how to work with them: how to integrate them into clothing, how they interact with the body, and what volume and weight the “inner layer” will have.
If this doesn’t work, I will try panels from other suppliers or use panels taken from portable hiking solar chargers.
WHEN
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get inspired!
Check out and research alumni pages to betetr understand how to document and get inspired
- Diane Wakim Le TextileLab Lyon 2020-21
- Ana San Roman FabLab Barcelona 2018-19
- Laetitia Thomas Le TextileLab Lyon 2020-21
- Catherin Euale FabLab Barcelona 2018-19
- Teresa van Twuijver TextileLab Amsterdam 2018-19
References & Inspiration¶
Textiles embedded with more than a thousand miniature solar cells - which are capable of charging a smart watch or mobile phone - have been developed by researchers at Nottingham Trent University.
Why, What, Who, When, Where?¶
What will you explore? why? for who? with whom? how and when?
Slide show¶
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