How to make a Heating and Cooling Jacket

Step 7 Solar Panel (optional)

Adding a solar panel to the jacket is optional , but it will help with powering the jacket. 

It is recommended that you use a flexible solar panel, so that it is more bendable with the clothing and will be more comfortable to wear.

1. Purchase a solar panel that has more voltage than the battery that powers your Arduino. The solar panel in the picture gives about 8 volts. No more than 8 volts is needed to charge the battery to the Arduino. Also purchase the LiPower charger and 3.5 volt lithium polymer battery. Both can be found on sparkfun.com

-These are instructions for using a flexible solar panel; any others may not be the same-
 
2. The positive end is the side where the white lines are pointing out and the negative is the side the white lines are pointing towards. 

3. On the ends of the solar panel, where the leads are located, there is a plastic covering. You will need to peel it back to access the (+) and (-). Be careful to not rip the solar panel or ruin it.
   * Once you have the sides back you should test the voltage of the solar panel with a volt meter.

4. Attach a little conductive fabric inbetween the plastic and the lead. Then secure them together; we used duct tape, because it is strong and easy. 
    *See photos for more information; also check the voltage agian when it is in the sun.

5. With the conductive thread, you should sew through where the duct tape and fabric meet, but try to avoid puncturing the solar panel. 

6. Then sew the solar panel to the hood, or the place of choice, with the conductive thread. Keep sewing down the positive and negative leads from the hood all the way till you hit the bottom of the hood. This where you will connect it to snaps.

-Now it is time to connect the solar panel to the battery-