The Solar Powered Backpack
A solar powered backpack incorporates a thin film solar cell panel into the pack body. This panel can be either the amorphous Silicon type or the newer CIGS variety. The panel is connected to a battery pack which charges, storing excess power during the daytime. Good quality backpacks will come with a wide variety of connection types that link to the battery pack, so that charging any small device that has a standard power input is easy. Phones, iPods, rechargeable torches and other such devices can then be kept charged even when a regular power supply is nowhere to be found. This not only provides convenience and comfort but also has the safety aspect of being able to stay in contact by avoiding a flat phone battery.
The solar backpack is one of the first products that incorporate thin film solar cell technology into everyday items. Given the continual rise in energy demands of the modern lifestyle, this approach of utilizing spare surfaces to generate electricity is both economically sensible and environmentally friendly. By being able to recharge a torch while hiking in the daytime, less waste will be produced from dead batteries. This has several knock on effects such as reducing manufacturing costs and energy use, as well as reducing harmful landfill. Current Solar Cell Efficiency The flexible panels incorporated into solar backpacks currently have good efficiency. This will continue to rise as the technology of these solar cells advances, but the gains will be small and slow. Current flexible solar panels will provide a good return on investment immediately and will give good service for many years. Return from Solar Powered Backpack to Solar Camping or return to the Green Planet home page for more Solar Power Facts.
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