# 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. - **Patent:** US 12738887 - **Original title:** Foldable solar panel - **Granted:** 2026 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, energy, mechanical ## What it does 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. ## 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'. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Portable solar chargers for camping 2. Solar panels for backpacking 3. Tactical solar panels for military or emergency use 4. Off-grid power solutions for remote cabins ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12738887/foldable-solar-panel **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12738887 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Solar Cells with Built-in Bypass Switches](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9219171/systems-and-methods-for-monolithically-integrated-bypass-switches-in-photovoltai) — This patent describes how to build a solar cell with a bypass switch directly into the same piece of silicon, making solar panels more efficient and reliable. - [Solar Cells with Built-in Smart Electronics on the Back](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9293619/smart-photovoltaic-cells-and-modules) — This patent describes a solar cell design that integrates electronic components, like a bypass switch, directly onto the back of the cell to improve performance, especially when parts of the cell are shaded. - [Solar Cells Made of Stacking Layers with Different Energy Gaps](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8912428/high-efficiency-multijunction-ii-vi-photovoltaic-solar-cells) — This patent describes a solar cell built by stacking multiple layers, each designed to capture a different part of the light spectrum for maximum energy conversion, achieving high efficiency. - [Attaching Flexible Circuits with Light Sensors to a Chip](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9055681/method-for-attaching-a-flexible-structure-to-a-device-and-a-device-having-a-flex) — This patent describes a method and device for attaching a bendable circuit, which includes light-sensing or light-emitting components, onto a main chip, allowing light to pass through a hole in the chip to reach the flexible part. - [How to Make High-Efficiency Solar Cells with Stacked Layers](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9287431/superstrate-sub-cell-voltage-matched-multijunction-solar-cells) — This patent describes a solar cell design that stacks two different types of light-absorbing layers, cadmium telluride and silicon, connecting them in parallel to capture more sunlight efficiently.