Solar Swimsuit Hits Runway

Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:13PM EDT

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It seems strange to me that instead of demanding companies to find ways to prolong battery life, we're accepting defeat by buying clothing embedded with solar panels to recharge our small electronics. I can understand embedding solar panels into backpacks, jackets or handbags, but swimsuits? How does that even work? There's barely any fabric to work with, so I thought. 

In a previous post, I introduced you to a solar-powered bikini created by Andrew Schneider for a sustainable practices class. The bikini was completely covered in photo voltaic film panels, so just looking at made my skin itch. Novel idea, bad execution. The bikini looked menacing, and I doubt it would work after a dip in the pool.

Then I find a picture of swimming champion Gemma Mengual sporting the latest solar swimsuit by Triumph on a Spanish runaway. As you can see from the picture above, the swimsuit has plenty of soft fabric hugging all the right places—as opposed to the tiny solar bikini—with solar panels by Conergy placed on the front to harness solar power. A charging cord is located right by the hip area, ready to charge a small cellphone or iPod. I still find the idea a little strange, but who knows, this suit might eventually be a big hit on the beach.

Ladies, what do you think? Would you ever wear one?

Related:

Solar-Powered Bikini Charges Gadgets
Going Solar: 10 Sun-Powered Gadgets
Solar Girl Power

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Comments on Solar Swimsuit Hits Runway

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  • 1 Posted by hsaid on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    I cant see why you would have one. Once the ipod is charged it last few hrs on the beach. I mean how many hrs around going to spend just at the beach or by the pool

  • 2 Posted by wisepotatogremlin@sbcglobal.net on Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    I like technology, don't get me wrong, and I think solar power is great, but here's another idea: DON'T USE THE CELL PHONE OR IPOD WHILE YOU'RE AT THE BEACH! Why not just enjoy yourself? Oh, I forgot -- nowadays, fun automatically has to include a cell phone, iPod, gaming device, or something. Yeah, right.

  • 3 Posted by amazon_alia on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    Using a cell phone or iPod at the beach doesn't have to mean ruining your R&R time -- don't people talk to their friends while at the beach? And don't they often listen to music? And yes, if I am on vacation, I will probably be on the beach longer than my iPod can handle ... solar iPod sounds like a fantastic idea.

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