Photovoltaic energy harvesting for intelligent textiles

After a short introduction, the background and operation of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells are described. Specific types of PV cells are then discussed in turn, with particular reference to thin-film devices. Strategies for constructing solar PV textiles are critically reviewed. The requirements that make textiles suitable substrates and the strategies for rendering them electrically conductive are surveyed. Following consideration of technological specifications, there is discussion of the manufacture and applications of solar textiles. The chapter ends with some thoughts about the future of solar textiles.