Solar Integration for Smart Lock Systems

Thin-film solar panel integrated into a connected bike lock platform for autonomous outdoor operation.

Challenge

The smart lock platform required continuous power to support:

  • GPS tracking.

  • Cellular connectivity.

  • Crash and theft notifications.

  • Remote system monitoring.

The device needed to:

  • Maintain low-profile industrial design.

  • Conform to a curved enclosure.

  • Operate in varied outdoor lighting conditions.

  • Minimize battery service intervals.

Stable energy harvesting was required to support long-term autonomous operation.

 

Approach

Amorphous silicon thin-film modules were selected to meet curvature, aesthetic, and low-light performance requirements.

The module was engineered to conform to the lock’s industrial design while delivering defined power output under variable outdoor conditions.

 

Solution

An Electronic Component Solar Panel was integrated into the smart lock housing to provide continuous energy harvesting.

The conformal thin-film module supports long-duration deployment with reduced battery servicing requirements.

PowerFilm provided design collaboration and rapid prototyping to accelerate product integration.

 

Testimonial

 

"PowerFilm Solar was an asset during the development stages of our Ellipse smart bike lock. Customers were impressed by the flexibility of the panels, which allow for a unique industrial design that could not be accomplished with rigid crystalline panels. PowerFilm Solar was able to support our prototyping needs creating customizations that we needed at the various stages of the project. The Ellipse is a new take on bike locks, and PowerFilm Solar helped make it a reality.”

- Jeremy Ricard, Lattis

Engineering Evaluation

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