Portable Solar Panel That Folds and Attaches to Gear
This patent describes a solar panel designed to fold up and be secured with hook and loop tape, making it portable and attachable to platforms using straps and webbing.
Original patent title: “Foldable solar panel”
This patent describes a solar panel designed to fold up and be secured with hook and loop tape, making it portable and attachable to platforms using straps and webbing. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a solar panel that can fold. It includes at least two solar modules attached to a substrate. When folded, it uses hook and loop tape to stay shut. For carrying or use, it has at least two straps and two horizontal rows of webbing, allowing it to be attached to things like a backpack or tent, which are examples of a load-bearing platform.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover foldable solar panels that use zippers, snaps, or magnets to secure them in a folded position.
- Does not cover solar panels attached to platforms using permanent adhesive, bolts, or clips without webbing.
- Does not cover rigid, non-foldable solar panels or rollable solar panels.
- Does not cover single-module solar panels, as it specifies 'at least two solar modules'.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in combining a foldable design with specific, robust attachment methods like straps and webbing, alongside a simple securing mechanism like hook and loop tape. This integration makes the solar panel highly practical for attaching to various load-bearing platforms, creating a deployable and portable power source.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Portable solar chargers for camping
Solar panels for backpacking
Tactical solar panels for military or emergency use
Off-grid power solutions for remote cabins
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent aims to make solar power more portable and versatile, allowing users to generate electricity in remote locations or during outdoor activities. By providing specific mechanisms for folding and attachment, it addresses the practical challenges of deploying solar panels away from fixed installations. This design could be useful for campers, hikers, or emergency responders needing off-grid power.
Filed
December 20, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies specializing in portable power solutions and outdoor gear are active in this space. Brands like Goal Zero, Jackery, and Anker produce various portable solar panels and power stations that could incorporate similar folding and attachment mechanisms. Manufacturers of camping equipment and tactical gear also develop products that integrate portable power.
Market impact
This type of patent contributes to the growing market for portable and off-grid power solutions. By focusing on practical aspects like folding and attachment, it helps enable solar energy use in diverse environments, from recreational outdoor activities to emergency preparedness. Such designs make solar power more accessible and convenient for users needing mobile energy sources.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a solar panel that can fold. It includes at least two solar modules attached to a substrate. When folded, it uses hook and loop tape to stay shut. For carrying or use, it has at least two straps and two horizontal rows of webbing, allowing it to be attached to things like a backpack or tent, which are examples of a load-bearing platform.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in combining a foldable design with specific, robust attachment methods like straps and webbing, alongside a simple securing mechanism like hook and loop tape. This integration makes the solar panel highly practical for attaching to various load-bearing platforms, creating a deployable and portable power source.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover foldable solar panels that use zippers, snaps, or magnets to secure them in a folded position.
- Does not cover solar panels attached to platforms using permanent adhesive, bolts, or clips without webbing.
- Does not cover rigid, non-foldable solar panels or rollable solar panels.
- Does not cover single-module solar panels, as it specifies 'at least two solar modules'.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$17K – $54K
Midpoint $34K · 18.2 yr remaining · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Portable Solar Panel That Folds and Attaches to Gear (U.S. Patent No. 12,738,887). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12738887/foldable-solar-panel
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Portable Solar Panel That Folds and Attaches to Gear cover?
This patent describes a solar panel designed to fold up and be secured with hook and loop tape, making it portable and attachable to platforms using straps and webbing.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent aims to make solar power more portable and versatile, allowing users to generate electricity in remote locations or during outdoor activities. By providing specific mechanisms for folding and attachment, it addresses the practical challenges of deploying solar panels away from fixed installations. This design could be useful for campers, hikers, or emergency responders needing off-grid power.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover foldable solar panels that use zippers, snaps, or magnets to secure them in a folded position.
Patent monitoring