Brooklyn-based designer Andrew Schneider has a daring approach toward utilizing solar energy: what if, instead of having solar panels on the roofs of buildings and homes, people could simply wear them to store energy for various devices? Enter the Solar Bikini, a design concept that features photovoltaic film strips hand-stitched together using conductive thread and can charge most electronic devices, such as smartphones and music players, via a USB connection. Schneider spends about 80 hours on each bikini, which may also be custom-made to fit a wearer’s preferences.

Solar Coterie

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