--- title: "Solar Sailing: How UAT Students Use the Sun to Power Innovation" description: University of Advancing Technology business technology alumni designed and developed a solar-powered hat for their Student Innovation Project (SIP). image: https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-13%20at%202.27.36%20PM.png --- [![image-26](https://blog.uat.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing/Logos/image-26.png?width=99&name=image-26.png "image-26")](https://www.uat.edu/) ** - [Home](https://www.uattech.com) - [Majors](http://www.uat.edu/advancing-technology-degrees) - [About UAT](https://www.uat.edu/about-uat) - [Request More Information](https://www.uat.edu/request-info) [![Take a Virtual, Interactive Tour ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3455363/92ff0e66-7821-430b-88c3-a32c82c5bda2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3455363/92ff0e66-7821-430b-88c3-a32c82c5bda2) # What's happening on UAT's campus- A blog published by UAT Students. ALL CATEGORIES - [all Categories](https://blog.uat.edu) - [ Advancing Computer Science ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/advancing-computer-science) - [ Advertising Art ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/advertising-art) - [ Artificial Intelligence ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/artificial-intelligence) - [ Business Technology ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/business-technology) - [ Cyber Security ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/cyber-security) - [ Data Science ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/data-science) - [ Digital Maker and Fabrication ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/digital-maker-and-fabrication) - [ Digital Marketing ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/digital-marketing) - [ Digital Video ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/digital-video) - [ Game Studies ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/game-studies) - [ Human Computer Interaction ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/human-computer-interaction) - [ Robotics and Embedded Systems ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/robotics-and-embedded-sytems) - [ Software Engineering ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/software-engineering) - [ Virtual Reality ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/virtual-reality) - [ Alumni ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/alumni) - [ Behind the Bits Magazine ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/behind-the-bits) - [ Career and Work ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/career-and-work) - [ Competitions ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/competitions) - [ Events ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/events) - [ Geek411 Magazine ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/geek-411) - [ Graduate Studies ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/graduate-studies) - [ Military ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/military) - [ People, Places and Things ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/people-places-and-things) - [ Perimeter83 ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/Perimeter83) - [ Student Innovation Project (SIP) ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/student-innovation-project) - [ Student Work ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/student-work) - [ Technology News ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/technology-news) - [ UAT Life ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/UAT-life) - [ UAT News ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/UAT-news) [Student Innovation Project](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/student-innovation-project), [Business Technology](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/business-technology)   |   4 Min Read ## Solar Sailing: How UAT Students Use the Sun to Power Innovation ![Picture of UAT Staff Writer](https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/UATTECH-AUTHOR-LOGO.png) [ Written by UAT Staff Writer ](https://blog.uat.edu/author/uat-staff-writer) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/uatedu) The University of Advanced Technology—one of the most innovative information technology / cyber security degrees colleges in the country—can give a wave of the cap to the earth through a new, solar-powered hat developed by two UAT students. The prototype "Solarcap" was developed through the technology university training brought to UAT alumni [Jennifer Talin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-taflin-20a1a960/) and [Ethan Klees](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-klees-597195aa/). As Jennifer explains it, the light of inspiration came to her on vacation. "I was in Yosemite on Spring Break," Jennifer explains. "It was really sunny, my phone was dying and I was like man, I wish I had solar panels or something to be able to charge my phone. It would be annoying to carry around solar panels, so why don't I put solar panels on a hat and then have it charge my phone? We came up with a way to do that and it works too, which is great." ![Screen Shot 2018-06-13 at 2.27.36 PM](https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-13%20at%202.27.36%20PM.png) Jennifer and her partner, Ethan, relied on their [Business Technology](http://www.uat.edu/business-technology-degree) studies to create the Solarcap prototype. Weighing in at just under a pound, the Solarcap has a bank of solar panels that will allow wearers to charge electronic devices while they're on the go. The attached power bank in the back of the hat can be removed so the hat can be washed or just worn separately; additionally, the hat's attached, portable battery offers a constant charge for wearers wherever they go. As one of the most comprehensive and career-oriented technology colleges in the country, UAT had well-prepared the two for their creation. The curriculum training at UAT enabled Ethan and Jennifer to do all the back-end work and develop a go-to-market business plan. Their plans show that the Solarcap could be created for as little as $10 per unit and sold for five or six times that in stores; the two are looking at marketing the product to camping-equipment stores and possibly creating a company to sell the Solarcap. Jennifer and Ethan don't plan to stop tweaking the design. They are constantly exploring new options for the Solarcap, everything from waterproofing to adding easy-removal options for the wash. Their goal is to make the Solarcap a vital part of a green movement. "Our goal is to reduce our carbon footprint, which means that using the sun is better than using an outlet," Jennifer says. "It's a renewable power source, and I think that renewable energy is where we are headed. We're trying to start in the fashion industry." - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.uat.edu/solar-sailing-how-uat-students-use-the-sun-to-power-innovation&title=Solar%20Sailing:%20How%20UAT%20Students%20Use%20the%20Sun%20to%20Power%20Innovation&picture=https://learn.uat.edu/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-13%20at%202.27.36%20PM.png&description=University%20of%20Advancing%20Technology%20%20business%20technology%20alumni%20designed%20and%20developed%20a%20solar-powered%20hat%20for%20their%20Student%20Innovation%20Project%20(SIP).) - [** ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://blog.uat.edu/solar-sailing-how-uat-students-use-the-sun-to-power-innovation&text=Solar%20Sailing:%20How%20UAT%20Students%20Use%20the%20Sun%20to%20Power%20Innovation) - [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.uat.edu/solar-sailing-how-uat-students-use-the-sun-to-power-innovation&title=Solar%20Sailing:%20How%20UAT%20Students%20Use%20the%20Sun%20to%20Power%20Innovation&summary=University%20of%20Advancing%20Technology%20%20business%20technology%20alumni%20designed%20and%20developed%20a%20solar-powered%20hat%20for%20their%20Student%20Innovation%20Project%20(SIP).) - [** ](mailto:?subject=Solar%20Sailing:%20How%20UAT%20Students%20Use%20the%20Sun%20to%20Power%20Innovation&body=Solar%20Sailing:%20How%20UAT%20Students%20Use%20the%20Sun%20to%20Power%20Innovation%20https://blog.uat.edu/solar-sailing-how-uat-students-use-the-sun-to-power-innovation) ### Don't forget to share this post! - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.uat.edu/solar-sailing-how-uat-students-use-the-sun-to-power-innovation&title=Solar%20Sailing:%20How%20UAT%20Students%20Use%20the%20Sun%20to%20Power%20Innovation&picture=https://learn.uat.edu/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-13%20at%202.27.36%20PM.png&description=University%20of%20Advancing%20Technology%20%20business%20technology%20alumni%20designed%20and%20developed%20a%20solar-powered%20hat%20for%20their%20Student%20Innovation%20Project%20(SIP).) - [** ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://blog.uat.edu/solar-sailing-how-uat-students-use-the-sun-to-power-innovation&text=Solar%20Sailing:%20How%20UAT%20Students%20Use%20the%20Sun%20to%20Power%20Innovation) - [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.uat.edu/solar-sailing-how-uat-students-use-the-sun-to-power-innovation&title=Solar%20Sailing:%20How%20UAT%20Students%20Use%20the%20Sun%20to%20Power%20Innovation&summary=University%20of%20Advancing%20Technology%20%20business%20technology%20alumni%20designed%20and%20developed%20a%20solar-powered%20hat%20for%20their%20Student%20Innovation%20Project%20(SIP).) - [** ](mailto:?subject=Solar%20Sailing:%20How%20UAT%20Students%20Use%20the%20Sun%20to%20Power%20Innovation&body=Solar%20Sailing:%20How%20UAT%20Students%20Use%20the%20Sun%20to%20Power%20Innovation%20https://blog.uat.edu/solar-sailing-how-uat-students-use-the-sun-to-power-innovation) ### Comment ## Related Articles [Student Innovation Project](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/student-innovation-project) [Game Studies](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/game-studies) ### [Student Innovation Projects in Game Programming and Game Design at UAT](https://blog.uat.edu/student-innovation-projects-in-game-programming-and-game-design-at-uat) The University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is proud to showcase the Spring 2024 Student Innovation Projects (SIPs) from the Game Programming and Game Design majors. These projects represent the ... [![Picture of Madison Robinson](https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/0523_Madison%20Robinson-8%202.jpg) Madison Robinson ](https://blog.uat.edu/author/madison-robinson) 4 Min Read [Student Innovation Project](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/student-innovation-project) [Student Innovation](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/student-innovation) ### [Student Innovation Projects in Game Art and Animation at UAT](https://blog.uat.edu/student-innovation-projects-in-game-art-and-animation-at-uat) The University of Advancing Technology (UAT) continues to cultivate creativity and innovation through its Spring 2024 Student Innovation Projects (SIPs) in the Game Art and Animation major. These ... [![Picture of Madison Robinson](https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/0523_Madison%20Robinson-8%202.jpg) Madison Robinson ](https://blog.uat.edu/author/madison-robinson) 4 Min Read [Student Innovation Project](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/student-innovation-project) [Software Engineering](https://blog.uat.edu/tag/software-engineering) ### [Unveiling Spring 2024's Student Innovation Projects in Software Engineering](https://blog.uat.edu/unveiling-spring-2024s-student-innovation-projects-in-software-engineering) In the dynamic halls of the University of Advancing Technology (UAT), the Spring 2024 semester witnessed a wave of inventive projects from students immersed in the software engineering realm. Among ... [![Picture of Madison Robinson](https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/0523_Madison%20Robinson-8%202.jpg) Madison Robinson ](https://blog.uat.edu/author/madison-robinson) 4 Min Read [![UAT-Logo-new](https://blog.uat.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos,%20Buttons,%20Icons%20(Non%20UAT)/UAT-Logo-new.jpg?width=151&name=UAT-Logo-new.jpg "UAT-Logo-new")](https://www.uat.edu/) UAT Tech is a blog by the University of Advancing Technology - [** ](https://www.instagram.com/uatedu) - [** ](https://twitter.com/uatedu) - [** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/uatedu) - [** ](https://www.youtube.com/user/UATProductions) Want More? - [Learn More About UAT](https://www.uat.edu/request-info) - [Apply Now](https://uatfastapp.com/) - [Student Life Blog](https://blog.uat.edu/) Contact Us **Email: [ admissions@uat.edu ](mailto:admissions@uat.edu) **Phone: [ +1 800-658-5744 ](tel:+1%20800-658-5744) **Address: 2625 W Baseline Rd, Tempe, AZ 85283 Copyright @ 2026.The University of Advancing Technology. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "UAT Staff Writer", "url" : "https://blog.uat.edu/author/uat-staff-writer" }, "dateModified" : "2020-01-15T18:43:16.462Z", "datePublished" : "2018-07-03T17:10:46.000Z", "headline" : "Solar Sailing: How UAT Students Use the Sun to Power Innovation", "image" : [ "https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-13%20at%202.27.36%20PM.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.uat.edu/solar-sailing-how-uat-students-use-the-sun-to-power-innovation", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.uat.edu/hubfs/front%20no%20shadow-2.png" }, "name" : "University of Advancing Technology" } } ```