SuperSolar: a wearable energy generator for children's outdoor play

Abstract

A recent UK study commissioned by the National Trust found out that children play outside for an average of just over four hours a week and 10% of respondents have not even been in a natural environment for at least a year [1]. For the kids, the benefits of outdoor games are enormous; they are linked with the development of motor skills and mental and physical strength, enhancing children's creativity, confidence, and social relations. On the other hand, the problem of sustainability and energy consumption is more and more relevant nowadays. In the future, solar energy could be a valuable alternative to conventional electricity, and thanks to international researchers the technology is still evolving with a focus on fabric and tissue. The project SuperSolar aims to allow children to play and discover energy consumption through an outdoor play based on kinetic energy and Solar Cell Fabric [2], a tissue able to absorb solar energy. Besides, SuperSolar App informs children about the amount of energy that they produce during the play.