How to harvest solar power? Beam it down from space!

I just read this great article at CNN.  They are talking about using solar satellites in space to generate electricity.  Read the full article at http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/05/30/space.solar/index.html#cnnSTCText .  This is a great idea and I hope try push forward with it.  Charles Miller of the Space Frontier Foundation said he thinks it will be possible in the next 10 years.  “We could see the first operational power satellite in about the 2020 time frame if we act now,” he said.  Keep your eyes and ears open for this and other alternative energy ideas just like it. 

I just read a great article in wired magazine titled Researcher Pushes Enormous Floating Solar Islands.  It is a great idea, there basically making a floating island with solar panel all over it.  They estimate that an island a mere mile across could generate 190 megawatts of power with a breakeven price point of $0.15 a kilowatt hour, or about twice current electricity prices in the United States. Here’s the url if you want to check out the whole article: http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/05/researcher-push.html Also here’s the companies url: http://www.solar-islands.com/index.php

Solar bag revolution

          There is a wide range of solar bags out there already and many more to come.  Here’s an example of what’s already here.  Here is a quick glance at 8 different bags and a little about them:

          This first bag is from Eclipse.  This stylish and smart backpack is the first in a line of backpacks with an integrated solar charging solution. Perfect for the student, mobile commuter, and outdoorsman, this backpack provides a quality pack with an integrated solar charging module for your high-tech toys. Using a cell phone as an example, you can trickle charge the cell phone battery during casual commutes or long hikes with the backpack using your existing cigarette lighter cord (not included. The result is an extension of battery life, and a source for charging when traveling in remote areas where traditional charging sources are not available, or in emergency situations.

 Product features include:

*Included with the pack are large cavities for books or extra clothing when traveling Back cavity houses

*a laptop sleeve that can be removed when extra space and lighter weight is needed Front zippered accessory

*pouch includes pen pencil holders, cd holders, an elastic lanyard for keys and a removable clip for USB memory sticks

*Multiple pockets for your cell phone, PDA, handheld GPS unit, CD player or MP3 player

*MP3 pouch includes an inner mesh pocket and a convenient outlet for your headphones   

Eclipse Solar Gear The Reactor Solar Backpack

         This second bag is from Reactor.  The Reactor Solar Backpack is the first in a line of backpacks with an integrated solar charging solution. Stylish and smart, this solar backpack combines the traits of a feature rich quality bag with a smart, effective solar charging module. The solar backpack has multiple pockets for your cell phone, PDA, hand held GPS unit, CD player or MP3 player, and a laptop computer. The MP3 pouch includes an inner mesh pocket and a convenient outlet for your headphones. External side mesh pockets can be used for a water bottle holder or other items for quick access. Included with the pack are large cavities for books or extra clothing when traveling. The back cavity houses a laptop sleeve that can be removed when extra space and lighter weight is needed. The front zippered accessory pouch includes pen holders, cd holders, an elastic lanyard for keys, and a removable clip for USB memory sticks.

Product features include:

* Fabric: 1680 Denier Nylon

* Size: 18” x 13” x 8.75”

*Weight: 3.7 pounds without the laptop sleeve; 4.6 with the laptop sleeve

*Capacity: 1850 cubic inches 

* Warranty: Limited Lifetime

*Solar Module providing up to 2.5 Watts of power

*Single 12V charging outlet

*Padded waist belt

*Water bottle pockets

*Mesh ventilated, padded backpanel

*Contoured and padded shoulder straps

*Accessory pockets

*Organizer pockets

*Portal exit for headphones

*Fits laptop computers up to 15″ 

Reactor Solar Backpack – Timber Camo

           The third bag is from Helius solar.  The backpack is designed and manufactured in USA.  Anti-reflective coated small (4.25 inch x 5 inch) mono crystalline silicon. Size 18″h x 13″w x 9″d, weight 3.5 pounds, features multiple exterior and interior pockets, and supports notebooks up to 15.4 inches. Headphone port so you can listen while you are charging. Fully padded back panel with spiral channel for air ventilation. Waist belt with stability adjustment 

Product features include:

*Patent Pending Technology allows the solar panel to charge iPods, PDAs, cell phones and most small electronic devices in room lighting

*Adaptors included: iPod, Mini-USB Motorola Razr V3/BlackBerry, Samsung, LG, Nokia, and Motorola

*Charges iPods and Cell Phones in 4-6 hours

*Cell phone to iPod, 3-mode switch board to 12v/155

*Constructed using rugged 840D Nylon material  

Helius Solar-Power Backpack

           The fourth bag is from Robby Gorden and is a nice small messenger bag.  Revolutionary Technology using solar panels allows this Messenger Bag to charge your most popular portable devices, it even stores energy! This incredible product allows you to charge your cell phone, PDA, BlackBerry, Apple iPod and more. Imagine, this Messenger Bag is useful for anyone who Skis or Snowboards, Skateboards, Travels, Hikes, enjoys Fishing, Golfing or Emergency use. The possibilities are endless! This product is not available in retail store and demand is incredible, so order now. It comes with a standard Nokia connector and with 5 standard attachments compatible with Nokia, Motorola, BlackBerry, Nextel and Apple iPod products. Additional Battery Storage capacity 2500mAh. Additional attachments for Sony-Ericsson, Samsung, Siemens, Sanyo, LG, Kyocera, Canon, Olympus, Sony PSP, Nintendo Gameboy and more. Made of extra durable 480 denier fabric with 4 pockets for great storage. It comes with a complete one year warranty.

Product features include:

*Official Robby Gordon Solar Charger Messenger Bag

*Charges your Apple iPod, Cell Phone, PDA

*Internal Battery Pack of 2500mAh

*Revolutionary Technology using solar panels

Robby Gordon Solar Messenger Bag

           The fifth bag is a tackle bag form explorer.  The Solar Tackle Bag features a thin, flexible solar panel that provides power to trickle charge your rechargeable AA batteries, GPS unit, two way radio, or cell phone while enjoying your day out fishing.

 Product features: 

 *Material: 1680D & 600D nylon, Size: 18″ x 9″ x 10″,

*Flexible Solar Panel, Up to 1.5 Watts of Power, Single Charging Outlet

*Adjustable, Padded Shoulder Strap, Side Pockets, Large Front Pocket, Rear Grab Handle

*Adjustable Dividers, Customizable Foam, Rear Luggage Handle Sleeve

  gives the photographer an extra power source in the great outdoors. 

Solar Camera Bag

         The sixth bag an solar tackle bag by explorer.  The Solar Tackle Bag features a thin, flexible solar panel that provides power to trickle charge your rechargeable AA batteries, GPS unit, two way radio, or cell phone while enjoying your day out fishing.

 Product features include:

*Fabric: 800 Denier Nylon, Color: Advantage Camo, Size: 12: x 8″ x 10″, Weight: 4 lbs

*Thin Flexible Solar Panel, 1.5 Watts of power, Single 12V charging outlet

*Padded Shoulder Strap, Side Pockets, Large Front Pocket

*(4) Plastic Tackle Containers 11″ x 71/4″ x 1 3/4″

*Warranty: Limited Lifetime

Solar Tackle Bag – Explorer Solar Backpack Bag

            The seventh bag is an Eclipse bicycle solar truck bag.  The solar trunk bag mounts to a standard rear bicycle rack for a universal fit and ease of use. Keep your cell phone or spare batteries juiced while you ride! Each Solar Bag comes with a female cigarette lighter receptacle just like in your car. Simply plug yourdevice right into the bag using your cigarette lighter charger compatible with your device. It’s easy!

Product features include:

*Color: Black/Gray, Material: 1800D & 600D Nylon, Size: 15″ x 11″ x 10″

*Flexible Solar Panel, 1.5 Watts of Power, Single Charge Port

*Large Main Cavity, Accessory Pockets, Organizer Pockets, Removable Shoulder Strap

*Front Grab Handle, Reflective Material

Solar Bicycle Trunk Bag

           The eight bag is the from the best solar backpack brand out there voltaic systems and is called the converter.  From Voltaic comes this small light weight Green Solar Panel Converter Pack. Multiple attachment mechanisms mean it can work as a pannier on a bicycle, a tank bag on a motorcycle, a saddle pack, or a day bag attached to a lager rucksack. 4 watts of solar power for fast charging.

Solar power has been around forever and people have been playing and hacking different solar ideas for awhile.  It wasn’t until a bunch of years ago did the portable solar devices really picking up steam.  Now there is a large variety of different manufacturers and distributors that offer a wide range of different portable solar products.  They range from solar backpacks, other solar bags, a range of different small solar chargers (fold outs and fixed body), roll out solar panels, solar flashlights, solar lanterns, solar iPod and iPhone cases, solar panels with suction cups to attach to almost anything, Full solar portable systems, solar radios and a bunch on different products.  Solar products fit into everybody’s life from outdoors people, students, day trippers, bike riders, environmental minded, soccer moms, trend setters, trend followers.  They really can fit in anybody’s life.  If you are a trend follower why don’t you be the trend setter for once?  If you’re reading this it’s as easy as buying a portable solar product and using it.  People will see you and ask you questions.  The worst is when you going out for the day and you get out of your car and notice your cell phone battery is dead.  Until now you had two choices either wait for it to charge if you have a car charger with you or go without you cell phone.  Now you notice your cell phones dead you attach it to the adapter in the backpack that has all your things you’re going to need for the day already and enjoy your day.  It’s something I can’t live without now.  It charges not only my cell phone but my gps, mp3 player, digital camera and many other electronic devices.  When cell phones came out a lot of people thought they didn’t need one, Can you picture not having one now?  I can’t.  In years to come you will find solar power integrated into many devices from cell phones, jackets, cameras, and many other devices.  It’s the wave of the future embrace it.  You could fight it but when you get your first portable solar charger or device with one integrated into it you will ask why you ever fought it.  It’s a win-win situation.  What would you pay to have power when you need it?  I like always having power for my devices when I need it.  You owe it to yourself.  It pays for itself.  They range greatly in price.  If you’re unsure buy a small cheap one to start.   When you fall in love with it, because you will, then buy different and/or better models.  It’s like when you buy a car you don’t have to buy the best car as your first car and it’s the same with this.  I implore you too research and start using solar power.  In this blog we’ll put interesting solar pieces on a regular basis, so keep checking everyday you’ll never know what’s new.  I feel passionate on this subject and it is why I am pushing it.  Portable solar power is the wave of the future and don’t get left behind.  More too come soon.               

Welcome to my solar blog.  I’ve got dozens of ideas about solar products, and want to spread the word.  Watch this space for cool products, helpful links, and lots of content about a greener future.