The SolarStore panels, which inflate from a backpack into a 2 meter square, are designed to replace hot water heaters, one of the primary consumers of power in most households. An English company, IDC, has announced plans to mass-produce an inflatable solar panel and make it commercially available for less than $200 , a great leap forward in making green energy available to the masses. Capable of heating up to 3 full tanks of water, IDC envisions the panels being used primarily in developing nations as a cheap alternative to the hot water heaters, but points out that their system pays back its cost in six months, while other domestic solar systems take 10-20 years to return the initial investment.

With patents secured and manufacturing facilities in place, IDC is now seeking potential distributors in the UK and rest of the world.

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