Milan, Italy
Sara Plaga and Kim-Joar Myklebust of Greentech startup company Levante design foldable solar panels reminiscent of Japanese origami that allow users to recharge their appliances and vehicles while leading a nomadic way of life.
As a nomadic couple, the founders of Levante faced a need that had not yet been fully satisfied.
They wanted to have clean energy anytime, anywhere they were. Several times they ran out of power and the solar panels were never enough to cover our needs, simply because we didn’t have enough space to install more solar.
This was the moment that the idea of Levante’s foldable solar panels came.
The Levante origami solar panels are designed to be used on the go so they are lightweight enough to carry due to the sheerness of the solar plates and can be easily installed in under a minute with their push-and-pull style.
The hinges immediately fold and unfold to make it easier for the users to use them whenever they want to.
Levante states that “the foldable origami solar panels are made in Italy and comprise monocrystalline silicon cells that have 23.4 percent conversion efficiency.”
“When the solar panels are open and sit in the sun all day, they can generate energy for the appliances in the camper van or boat with an estimate of 38 hours for a fridge, 27 hours for a laptop, four hours for an air conditioner, and an hour and a half for an induction stove,” the team continues.
The panels offer a power source of 330 Watts and 500 Watts depending on how much supply the users desire.
Project: Foldable Origami Solar Panels
Designers: Levante
Lead Designers: Sara Plaga and Kim-Joar Myklebust
Manufacturers: ManEvotech S.r.l
