In our original bags, we slid each panel under an aluminum frame. This held the panel snug, but wasn’t the most efficient use of materials. In our newest line of products, we eliminated the frame and embedded the panels directly to the bag via small screws embedded very neatly in the panel. This allowed us to get rid of “dead space” on the panel around the edges and get more Wattage per inch of the bag.
From a materials perspective, this eliminated:
110 g aluminum from the frame (100%)
174 square centimeters and 125 grams of panel substrate (aluminum) and potting material (36%)
From a design perspective, this will allow us to get even more Watts onto the curved surface of a Backpack. Which means, yes, you’re going to be able to charge netbooks and other efficient laptops from a Backpack sometime in the not so distant future.

One Response

  1. Ian Williams

    🙂 Congratulations! I believe this to be a great step for Voltaic Systems. Owning a 2 year old Voltaic backpack myself and talking with countless people about it, one of the most common things I hear is that they don’t want a new backpack, just the panel to attach to their existing backpack.

    Hence, this is a great step. $129 for a 4W panel plus battery plus adapter tips?? Triple win situation.

    I will definitely have to talk with my *skeptical to buy* friends about this, and I think they’ll make the transition.

    Ciao

    Reply

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