Yes, it can — and it is. The AE Supplies solar awning uses advanced flexible CIGS-ETFE photovoltaic material as the awning fabric itself. The surface that provides your shade is simultaneously generating electricity. At the Malvern show, visitors' most common reaction was genuine surprise that an awning could really be made from solar panel material — and that surprise turned to belief the moment they saw it and felt it in person. It is still an awning first; the solar element is built in, not bolted on.