Solar Mesh Array

To address the Army need for the development of a robust, flexible, stretchable and hyperelastic, efficient, photovoltaic textile ("solar textile"), Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop innovative Solar Mesh (SOMESH) arrays by readily adapting an existing roll-to-roll solar panel production technology. The SOMESH design takes a solar ribbon and produces a solar coiled helix capable of stretching and retracting. Coils are interwoven to form a fabric that can stretch to more than four times the original coiled length and, in combination with an elastic airtight membrane, can be used for inflatable devices with solar power generation integrated into the structure. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of SOMESH by constructing the required solar ribbons, coils, fabrics, and membranes. We plan to fabricate at least ten prototypes of an unstretched size of 30 cm x 30 cm for both mechanical testing and solar power generation. In Phase II, POC plans to build improved prototypes and incorporate them with power storage in an inflatable demonstrator.