The first solar bag powerful enough to charge a laptop was unveiled last month and will be available later this spring.
"The Generator" a solar laptop bag, is a mobile solar power generator designed to charge virtually all handheld electronics and is the invention of Voltaic Systems a company based in New York, USA.
Embedded in the outside of the bag are lightweight, tough, waterproof solar panels that can generate up to 14.7 watts which are powerful enough to fully charge a typical laptop from a day of direct sunlight - no other solar bag can do this claim Voltaic Systems. Charge times may increase in cloudy weather, high temperatures, or where panels are not angled towards the sun. Any surplus power generated is stored in the custom battery pack ensuring that you have power outside of daylight hours.
The bag is charged by placing it in direct sunlight with the solar panels angled towards the sun. A green light on the battery indicates it is trickle charging. In good conditions it will charge in 8-10 hours.
When the solar panels produce a charge, an indicator light in the center of the Voltaic logo illuminates. Although the light will illuminate in some low or indoor light conditions, the charge will be significantly lower.
All Voltaic Systems' bags use fabrics made from recycled PET i.e. soda bottles. The company says, "We worked extensively with suppliers to develop these fabrics, since they were not previously available state the company. Recycled PET fabric is light weight, extremely durable, UV resistant and water resistant. Most importantly, it uses significantly less energy to produce and creates demand for recycled materials."
The solar bag will be marketed at $599 and will give students, travelers and outdoor lovers the ability to stay powered-up anywhere.
Reference and source of image: Voltaic Systems
For more on photovoltaics attend Photovoltaics Beyond Conventional Silicon and read Printed and Thin Film Photovoltaics and Batteries.
