Power on the Go
by Dave Bell
Spring has sprung, and a new crop of portable solar power devices is making it easy to take your gear outside.
Reware's line of versatile daypacks sport built-in, flexible, high-efficiency, waterproof solar panels that convert solar power to electricity for charging most any 12-Volt electronic device. Scottevest features a patented internal conduit system that enables users to wire third-party devices inside its line of Technology Enabled Clothing that includes vests, cargo pants, and a sports jacket.
These products use flexible thin-film photovoltaic material made from
copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) attached to a thin substrate. Manufacturer
Global Solar says
its PowerFLEX solar cells can be combined into customizable modules for
integration with charge control and optional battery/charger systems, and
claims that the modules do not exhibit the instabilities that can result
in power output reductions over time.
Konarka's photovoltaic nanotechnology employs a wider range of the light spectrum than conventional solar cells, making it possible to use all visible light sources -- not just sunlight -- to generate power, so that cell phones and music players can be charged with either sunlight or indoor light.
Eclipse Solar Gear offers a patented line of backpacks, messenger bags, soft coolers, and cases for charging the batteries of cell phones, PDAs, music players, GPS units, and other handheld electronics.
Embedded in the back of the Voltaic backpack are three lightweight, waterproof solar
panels that generate up to 4 W for powering portable electronic devices.
A Li-Ion battery pack inside the bag stores any surplus power generated
by the solar panels, and it also can be recharged using an ac travel charger
or a car charger.
Crystal Bay, Global Merchants, and Solardyne offer a wide variety of portable solar-powered devices ranging from caps and radios to security lighting and power systems designed for remote locations.
Finally, if you're really serious about advancing the cause of solar
power you can use it to shop for solar-powered gear. ISP SolarHost is powered solely by the sun. They specialize
in web hosting and internet applications, as well as site design and development
for businesses, organizations, and individuals.