# Personal Solar Panels Ambientech SolarFold and SolarFan are Folding Mobile Charging Systems By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-08-29 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ambientech-solarfold-and-solarfan References: [engadget](http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/08/ambientecs-solarfold-and-solarfan-charge-your-gadgets-availabl//) & [popsci](http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-03/solarfold-and-solarfan-make-portable-solar-convenient-fashionable) AmbienTech SolarFold and SolarFan are innovative personal-sized solar panel designs out of the conceptual stage and available for purchase. The compact solar panels fold into a small bundle that can be unpacked and placed for charging. The AmbienTech SolarFold and SolarFan use spherical-based solar cells, which allow them to remain thin, flexible and more durable than other types of photovoltaic arrays. The SolarFan also has a cute little tripod to make positioning the solar array easier. The cost for either unit is about $250 US. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 54% | Activity: 95% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Personal Solar Panels:** Disruptive innovation opportunity lies in the development of more efficient and affordable personal solar panels - **Spherical-based Solar Cells:** Disruptive innovation opportunity lies in the development and implementation of spherical-based solar cells in larger solar panel designs - **Mobile Solar Charging Systems:** Disruptive innovation opportunity lies in the development of more advanced and portable mobile solar charging systems for easy access to renewable energy ### Where This Applies - **Renewable Energy:** The renewable energy industry could benefit from the production of more affordable and efficient personal solar panels - **Consumer Electronics:** The consumer electronics industry could benefit from the development of more advanced and portable mobile solar charging systems - **Manufacturing:** The manufacturing industry could benefit from the production of spherical-based solar cells to be implemented in larger solar panel designs ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Origami Travel Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-panel-origami-technology.md) - [Origami-Inspired Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/levante-origami-solar-panel.md) - [Folding Solar Power Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dexpole-solar-power-bank.md) - [Folding Solar-Equipped Camping Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecoeshiner-solar-table.md) - [Flexible Solar Film Energy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heliafilm.md) - [Balcony-Friendly Solar Power Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anker-solar-bank-2-e1600-pro.md) - [Essential Camping Solar Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/essential-camping-solar-tables.md) - [Furniture-Like Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/es-30w-solar-panel.md) - [Collapsible Solar-Powered Energy Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-energy-storage-power-supply.md)