Solar Energy and Your Waistcoat

A very promising invention from U of T permits highly efficient solar energy cells to be formed into a polymer. This may permit solar cells to be incorporated into clothing: CTV - New plastic can better convert solar energy

"The discovery could lead to shirts and sweaters capable of recharging our cellphones and other wireless devices, said Ted Sargent, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the university."

Given the disappointingly meagre use of solar technology in power generation, this strikes me as promising. It should appeal to consumers and in doing so give the solar meme a boost. It's already possible for consumers in many places in the US to select 'green' electricity at a cost not much more than electricity generated by regular means. Yet somehow, despite the popularity of 'The Environment', this hasn't translated into vast numbers of people actually buying green energy. Perhaps the next generation of hipster T-shirts will be 'solar-enabled'. Everybody loves a T-shirt!