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Solar panels may be used for smartphones and tablets

Apple and Samsung are planning to use solar panels for consumer electronics like smartphones and computer tablets.

SOLAR PANELS MAY be placed on smartphones and computer tablets in the future by Apple and Samsung – although it might take a while.

Solar-powered consumer electronics are expected to become widely available within the next five years, according to Silicon Republic. However, the key to making the technology commercially viable will be making the solar panels paper-thin.

Samsung and Apple are reportedly considering developing solar-power products with Taiwan-based solar firms, says DigiTimes. However, SiliconRepublic notes that – alongside US firms Solarmer and Plextronics, UK-based Konarka and Japan-based Mitsubishi Chemical – an Irish firm, SolarPrint, will also be able developing commercial prinable solar panels since completing a €1.2 million funding round.

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8 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mata Mata
    Favourite Mata Mata
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    Jul 27th 2011, 7:29 PM

    About time !

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Carson
    Favourite Niall Carson
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    Jul 27th 2011, 8:11 PM

    I know how many years has this tech been around?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Ó'Ríordán
    Favourite John Ó'Ríordán
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    Jul 27th 2011, 8:17 PM

    But there is no sun in Ireland.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jay Maguire
    Favourite Jay Maguire
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    Jul 27th 2011, 8:23 PM

    Have been using a solar charger for a few years now..been waiting on them integrating the tech for a while!!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Doherty
    Favourite Brian Doherty
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    Jul 28th 2011, 2:56 AM

    maybe I’m wrong but you dont need sunlight, just light. and wouldn’t it be a great way of keeping ur iPhone battery topped up while ur phone is sitting idle

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stefan Hanrahan
    Favourite Stefan Hanrahan
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    Jul 28th 2011, 11:53 AM

    Great idea and perhaps the roofs of electric cars should have the same and also how about sheets of the stuff you could hang like curtains in the window that would be great

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Evert Bopp
    Favourite Evert Bopp
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    Jul 28th 2011, 11:58 AM

    Nothing new really. When I was in Haiti last year Digicel were giving free mobile phones for people working in disaster relief & aid. These were nifty little things with a solar cell on the back. Some unknown Far eastern manufacturer but it solved the issue of no power being available to charge them very easily.
    A short while in the sun (on the dashboard of the car ) would generate enough power for a few hours.
    Great innitiative by Digicel by the way!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Itchy Brain
    Favourite Itchy Brain
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    Jul 27th 2011, 11:49 PM

    Am I the only one that thinks this is ridiculous?

    Large pv (meters sq) panels hardly generate 50w unless I’m mistaken! I really can’t see how this would work!

    Who leaves there phone out in the sun anyway?

    Forgive me for being so negative but this sounds like such a waste of time

    2
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