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Voltaic Launches Solar Powered Laptop Bag For Charging Lapto

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:43 pm
by Apoptosis
Voltaic Launches the Generator:
First Solar Bag Powerful Enough to Charge Laptops
generator-silver.jpg
generator-silver.jpg (38.96 KiB) Viewed 1671 times
New York, NY – December 08, 2008 - Voltaic Systems announces the release of its new solar bag, the Generator. The bag produces enough solar power to fully charge a laptop from less than a day in the sun.

The new Generator features a sleek, high-efficiency 15 Watt solar panel. In about five hours of full sunshine, the panel recharges a custom-designed battery pack, which efficiently captures and stores solar power until needed. The battery holds the equivalent of a full laptop charge and can also be charged from a wall outlet.

CEO Shayne McQuade adds “Since the release of our first bag, our customers have been asking about charging laptops. By using 20% efficiency solar cells, we are now able to pack enough power into a compact case.”

For each hour in the sun, the Generator extends laptop run time by 20-45 minutes, depending on the efficiency of the laptop. An hour in the sun also generates enough power to fully charge most phones, MP3 players and small cameras.

The bag is stylishly constructed from fabrics made with recycled soda bottles (PET) which are tough, waterproof and UV resistant. It includes a protective frame and padded laptop sleeve with storage room for other electronics, notebooks etc. The solar panels come in five color options: a distinctive orange, silver, green, white and a more discrete black.

Pricing and Availability The Generator is now shipping. All 5 colors are available from the Voltaic online store, http://www.voltaicsystems.com, and select retailers. The suggested retail price of $499 includes:

* High-efficiency solar panel that can generate up to 15 Watts of power
* 58Wh LiIon battery, about the same capacity as a typical laptop battery
* Common adaptors for easy connection to most laptops, phones and other handheld electronics
* Versatile computer bag made from recycled soda bottles (PET)

Voltaic was founded in 2004 to develop green energy solutions and sustainable products using environmentally-intelligent designs.

Re: Voltaic Launches Solar Powered Laptop Bag For Charging Lapto

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:01 am
by geokilla
It's a good idea, but four things would affect my decision.

1. Weight. The bag weighs over 4 lbs, add that with a 5 to 6 lbs laptop, and you're carrying around a 10lb laptop + bag.

2. Price. If there's no government rebate and stuff, it'd be a bit hard to sell this bag. Plus, there''s the failing economy right now....>.<

3. Design. It's a good idea and everything, but how many of us would actually purchase this bag? Looks a bit weird imo, due to the solar panels.

4. Reliability. What happens if the solar panels break or become less efficient, or the batteries don't hold their charges as well as they did?

Re: Voltaic Launches Solar Powered Laptop Bag For Charging Lapto

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:45 am
by Skippman
Personally I like it. It is a bit cumbersome but the idea has merrit. I've considered getting a flexiable solar cell for my backpacking rucksack so I can charge my radio's while I'm backpacking. I wondered how much weight it would add, and now I know.