When I think about solar energy, I still see this static blue panels on roofs. Outdated! 

Architect Sheila Kennedy has developed solar textiles -- membrane-like surfaces that can be draped like curtains or used to cover walls or roofs -- using 3D modeling software. They work just like conventional solar cells are made of similar semiconductor materials.

Kennedy recently exhibited her project, called "Soft House", at the Vitra Design Museum in Germany in which she transformed typical curtains into energy-harvesting surfaces able to track the sun.

Wrap up

All that solar energy would provide a welcome source of power for a home's solid state lighting and typical assortment of gadgets/devices -- tools, phones, laptops, etc. In addition to absorbing sunlight throughout the day, the curtains can form an insulating air layer for the building envelope; a central curtain can be lowered to create an extra room or folded upward to become a suspended chandelier.

Very great for your luxurious sustainable lifestyle home, one could critize, but Sheila Kennedy is also working on a project to develop this kind techniques for areas in development countries where people do not have electricity.

Solar textile fashion

It seems there's quite some interest for solar powered fashion products like bags but also jeans or bikinis, and these solar textiles might give it a little boost. I don't know about the solar jeans or bikini jet, but I'm quite hot for a solar backpack to get my laptop going while travelling...

 Via Treehugger