Solar bags getting cheaper, kinda

Solar technology. Love it.

But let’s face it: Who can lug around solar panels to power up all those everyday devices we carry with us? We’ve seen solar beach bags and out-of-this-world-priced pseudo-briefcases. But now there’s a product that is a bit more stylist, a bit more practical, and a lot cheaper.

Reware’s Juice Bag comes with a universal socket. That’s right, you’re charging as you’re carrying. Reware thin-film solar panels are made up of 52 micro solar cells. The panels are water-proof, military-tested, and create no heat or sound. The moment sunlight hits, you're making electricity.

Right now, the bags have an introductory prices of $299, and it’ll kick up to $399 after, I guess, they catch on. That’s better than the $1,500 version by OPTI-Solar, but still pretty pricy, especially for something that is only half-way handy.

While the Juice Bag has a padded laptop sleeve that can fit a 17” laptop, it won’t charge a computer. Laptops need a higher consistent charge than these small solar panels can give. A solar-charging bag for laptops would be four times as big and chances are even other Eco-Geeks will laugh at you for carrying such a thing.

This bag can charge smaller electronic devices from your GameBoy to your satellite phone, GPS unit, and digital camera. It takes about two hours on average to charge up a device. The solar panels run at 12 volts so the user can plug directly into the bag directly -- no battery required.

Still, I'm thinking the solar beach bag is cooler.

Via: Reware