Best in show: Solar clothing

Konarka already produces this 'power plastic', an organic photovoltaic material that converts sunlight into electricity. Now the company is working on a new type of wire that uses similar materials and could one day be incorporated into clothing for decorative and gadget-recharging purposes Photograph: Konarka

For its 1996-97 autumn/winter haute couture collection, Lapidus designed a solar-powered parka lined with Mylar in black and white silk, complete with micro-lithium batteries and voltaic mono-crystalline solar captors Photograph: Pierre Vauthey/Corbis

1 October 2008, Buenos Aires: A model wears a jacket with an integrated solar module from a collection by Argentine brand Indarra.dtx. The module converts sunlight into electric power that can be used to charge mobile phones, iPods, digital cameras and rechargeable batteries Photograph: Enrique Marcarian/Reuters

A solar-powered jacket launched in 2007 by the Italian firm Ermenegildo Zegna, featuring two small solar panels embedded in the jacket's removable Nehru-style collar. The panels are wired to a battery the size of a deck of cards in the breast pocket. With four hours' worth of sun, the battery can be used to charge appliances such as mobile phones and iPods Photograph: Marco Vagnetti/PR

5 November 2007, Munich: Fashion designer Willy Bogner puts solar-powered lights in ski suits, employing thin-film technology developed by lighting company Osram Photograph: PR

The Voltaic Generator, by New York-based Voltaic Systems, is the first solar bag powerful enough to charge a laptop. The bag has high-efficiency cells and includes a battery pack custom designed to efficiently store and convert the electricity generated. It also charge mobile phones and most other hand-held electronics Photograph: PR

Noon Solar's stylish bags use flexible solar panels, allowing each one to charge a mobile phone or iPod Photograph: PR

US company Reware have built the world's first heavy-duty solar beach tote, enabling you to spend the day at the beach while keeping your iPod, phone, or camera totally charged Photograph: PR

6 August 2007, San Diego, California: A model wears a solar bikini, designed by Andrew Schneider. The bikini uses 1" and 4" photovolotaic film strips sewn together in a series with conductive thread Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

Another view of designer Andrew Schneider's solar-powered bikini, which produces enoiugh power to charge an iPod Photograph: Solent News/Rex Features

14 May 2008, Tokyo: A model wears the "photovoltaic-powered bra" by Triumph International, which can generate enough solar power to display an electronic sign board and/or recharge the battery of a mobile phone Photograph: Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP

A solar parasol by Spanish designer Elena Corchero. The parasol converts the sun's energy into electricity during the daytime and uses it to light up small decorative LEDs Photograph: PR