foldable origami solar panel 'sego charger' fits easily in backpacks for travel-sized PV power

Sego charger is a portable, foldable origami solar panel

Sego Charger is a foldable origami solar panel that slides easily in backpacks and large pockets to give travelers portable PV power on the go. Origami becomes the main design of the solar panel to guarantee that it is easy to bring it anywhere, patched together with durable and visible hinges to add to the portable PV’s sturdiness. The foldable origami solar panel can charge personal devices and travel equipment including GPS and radio transmitters. Travelers just plug their devices directly into the solar panel to keep their electronics powered up.

What may look like a smaller version of Levante’s version of origami solar panels, Sego Charger brings in a 25-watt power rating with monocrystalline solar cells to capture more solar power, thanks to their grid-line electrical contacts on the cell’s rear. The foldable origami solar power also comes with a tripod to easily set it up almost anywhere, even on uneven paths. Since it is designed for travelers, Sego Charger is dubbed to withstand any weather conditions, from the harsh gust of winds to constant rainfall, to fully realize all-time powered-up outdoor and off-grid trips.

images courtesy of Sego Innovations

Portable PV designed for off-grid adventures

Sego Charger’s team – composed of Ian Esplin, Jacob Sheffield, and Diana Balaños – state that the design influence of their foldable origami solar panel comes from years spent researching alongside NASA engineers. They looked into how to adopt the origami technique which the space agency has thought of using for its deployable-space-based solar arrays. The research inspired them to conceive a similar concept for an earth-based application, targeting travelers and backpacking fans.

Part of the design of the foldable origami Sego Charger relies on the robust joints which offer the portable PV stability and flexibility. Through the hinges, travelers can fold and unfold it thousands of times since these joints distribute weight evenly and provide a solid connection between the components. The design team has also laminated Sego Charger with Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene, a fluorine-based plastic, to make the solar panel weather-resistant and almost dust and dirt free.

The foldable origami solar panel is also expected to be offered in 50-watt, 100-watt, and even over 400+-watt panels, depending on the need of the travelers. The higher-watt panels can charge portable fridges and travel-reader heaters. As of publishing the story, Sego Charger is in the phase of field testing and concept tweaking for its foldable origami solar panel and the design team hopes to ship out the first batch in the second quarter of 2024.

Sego Charger is a foldable origami solar panel that slides easily in backpacks