Can fabric installations be designed to harvest wind or solar energy?

Fabric installations are emerging as a groundbreaking solution for renewable energy harvesting. By integrating photovoltaic threads or piezoelectric materials, fabrics can convert sunlight into electricity or capture kinetic energy from wind. Solar fabrics, embedded with flexible solar cells, absorb sunlight efficiently, even in low-light conditions. Similarly, wind-responsive textiles with piezoelectric fibers generate energy when moved by air currents. These innovations enable fabrics to serve dual purposes—functional design and sustainable energy generation. While still in development, fabric-based energy harvesting holds immense potential for architecture, fashion, and urban infrastructure, paving the way for a greener future. Challenges remain in scalability and efficiency, but advancements in material science promise exciting possibilities.