Lenovo Unveils World’s First Ultraslim Solar Laptop at MWC 2024
Lenovo has introduced the Yoga Solar PC, a concept laptop powered by solar energy, at the Mobile World Congress in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
The Yoga Solar PC features a built-in solar panel on its lid, making it the "world’s first ultraslim solar-powered PC," according to Lenovo. The device measures 15mm in thickness and weighs 1.22kg.
The company claims that 20 minutes of direct sunlight can provide up to an hour of video playback. However, Lenovo has not announced a production timeline for the device.
High-Efficiency Solar Panel
The laptop’s solar panel consists of 84 back-contact solar cells, which maximise light capture by placing electrical connections behind the cells. This design achieves a conversion rate exceeding 24%, one of the highest in the industry.
While this efficiency surpasses typical silicone-based panels in consumer electronics, it is lower than perovskite-enhanced panels, which can reach up to 43%. Lenovo is still researching the panel’s performance in low-light conditions.
The device includes a Dynamic Solar Tracking system that continuously monitors the panel’s current and voltage. This data is used alongside the Solar-First Energy system to optimise energy flow to the laptop. Even in low-light environments, the panel continues generating power, helping maintain battery charge during inactivity.
Hardware and Features
The Yoga Solar PC is equipped with an Intel Lunar Lake processor, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a 14-inch OLED screen. The laptop is designed to optimise solar energy intake in both indoor and outdoor lighting conditions.
Even when idle on a desk, the device can passively recharge its battery using indoor lighting, though it performs best in natural sunlight. Lenovo notes that solar charging serves as a backup when power outlets are unavailable, but a full charge depends on prolonged good weather.
Lenovo has also introduced an external solar power kit concept for existing Yoga laptop users. This portable kit, resembling a book, unfolds to reveal two solar panels. It can charge devices directly via USB-C or store energy in a power bank.
No Production Plans Yet
Lenovo has not confirmed whether the Yoga Solar PC will enter production. However, the company will release the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6, a 2023 concept featuring a rollable OLED display, in June 2025 for USD 3,499.
“With the announcement of innovations like the Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition, the IdeaPad Slim 3x, and the Lenovo Yoga Solar PC Concept, Lenovo has delivered a suite of new devices and proofs of concept that empower end users to let their creativity shine, their ‘process’ unbounded by the processing of their PC thanks to AI-powered innovation,” said Jun Ouyang, Lenovo’s senior vice president.
Lenovo unveiled the Yoga Solar PC, a solar-powered concept laptop, at MWC 2024.
The device features a built-in solar panel, weighs 1.22kg, and is 15mm thick.
It achieves a 24% solar conversion rate, providing up to an hour of video playback from 20 minutes of sunlight.
Source: INTERESTING ENGINEERING