These Ultra-Thin, Bendy Solar Panels Are So Light You Can Wear Them

TL;DR

• Japanese companies developed ultra-thin, flexible perovskite solar panels weighing less than 4 grams each
  
• Panels power wearable devices like solar-powered neck fans at Expo 2025 Osaka amid extreme heat
  
• Perovskites outperform silicon panels in low-light and indoor conditions, offering versatile applications
  
• Challenges include durability and environmental concerns due to lead content, but ongoing research aims to improve stability
  
• Japan is investing heavily in perovskite tech to generate 20 gigawatts of solar energy by 2040
  

Flexible Solar Films Power Wearables at Expo 2025 Osaka

At Expo 2025 Osaka, staff are beating the intense summer heat using utility vests equipped with ultra-light, bendy solar panels developed by Toyoda Gosei in partnership with Enecoat Technologies and Seiren. These solar “films” are thin, weighing less than a sheet of paper, and they efficiently power mobile batteries connected to personal neck fans, keeping workers cool.

Unlike traditional bulky silicon panels, these new perovskite-based solar cells offer flexibility and lightweight design, ideal for wearables and hard-to-reach surfaces.

The Science Behind Perovskite Solar Panels

Perovskites are a family of crystals known for their high solar conversion efficiency and ability to absorb a broad spectrum of light, including visible and near-infrared. Enecoat’s films have demonstrated 21.2% efficiency in labs, with potential for over 26%, rivaling traditional silicon solar panels.

These solar films can generate electricity even under shade, rainy or cloudy conditions, and can power devices indoors by converting artificial light sources like LEDs or fluorescent lights.

“Perovskites allow solar panels to be installed where silicon ones couldn’t, including clothing or roofs that cannot bear heavy loads,” said Tamotsu Horiuchi, CTO of Enecoat.

Innovations and Applications Beyond Wearables

Perovskite technology is showcased throughout Expo 2025:

• Polish company Saule Technologies uses curved perovskite cells in smart poles powering street lights and cameras.
  
• Japanese company Sekisui Chemical demonstrates one-millimeter-thick solar films on bus terminus roofs.
  
• The Panasonic Group Pavilion features solar cells embedded in artistic glass facades.
  

These examples highlight the material’s potential to integrate energy generation seamlessly into urban environments and architecture.

Challenges: Durability and Environmental Impact

Despite promising performance, perovskite solar cells degrade faster than silicon when exposed to heat, moisture, and UV light, often losing efficiency within months or years.

Researchers like Dr. Hashini Perera at the University of Surrey are developing methods to stabilize perovskites, potentially increasing lifespan tenfold. Protective encapsulation, such as glass layers, also enhances durability.

The presence of lead in perovskites raises environmental concerns if damaged, but robust encapsulation keeps risks minimal.

Japan’s Solar Ambition and Future Outlook

Japan aims to produce 20 gigawatts of solar power by 2040, roughly equivalent to 20 nuclear power plants, leveraging perovskite technology to overcome land constraints for traditional solar farms.

Companies like Oxford PV are commercializing perovskite-on-silicon tandem panels that boost efficiency by up to 20%, marking a significant technological advance.

Perovskites promise a future where solar power generation is lightweight, flexible, and embedded in everyday objects — from rooftops to clothing and smartphones — bringing clean energy closer to where it is used.

The Data

CNN, Oxford PV

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