This is a once in a lifetime chance to get a solar bag designed by top designers like Diane von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger, Loomstate, Loeffler Randall, Lutz & Patmos, Rogan, Vena Cava, and Zero + Maria Cornejo worked with Sheila Kennedy to create sun power hungry bags.

Kennedy who founded the Portable Light Project, a non-profit initiative that provides solar textile kits to empower the world’s poorest people who do not have access to electricity and these top designers came together for ELLE Magazine’s ‘Green Issue’ to demonstrate how good looking solar bags can/could be made and to highlight the usefulness of solar power harvesting ‘on-the-go’ products for people in regions on our planet who have not the luxury to have a wall wart in their house or even village.

The designers where given from Kennedy the FLAP (Flexible Light and Power pack) module consisting of an 13″ x 4.75″ flexible solar panel, rechargeable batteries, an HBLED (High Brightness LED) light and a USB port.

These gorgeous looking solar bags will be auctioned off at eBay starting today, July 5th until bidding ends on July 15th. All profit will go towards the nonprofit, Portable Light Project.

It is amazing how beautifully looking solar bags top designers can make considering they had to use a standard flexible solar panel module.

[via: Treehugger]

Integrating solar panels into a dress or any kind of clothing is a style challenge, a balance between looking very – let’s say – techie and the trade-off on solar power loss when integrated to subtle, too hidden and covered up.

Abbey Liebman, a senior at Cornell University gave this challenge a go and the outcome a solar power dress looks interesting. The placement of the flexible solar cells at the seam of the top part and around the arm at the shoulder are places where the solar cell will get most of the sun exposure and blend nicely into the dresses overall design.

Her motivation to create a solar power dress might come partly from her Universities Textiles Nanotech Laboratory which worked with two Italian universities to make cotton threads electrically conductive by coating them with semiconductor polymers and nano-particles.

The various solar cells are then connected via this conductive cotton thread which lead to a connector for iPod and other portable devices to be charged on the go – literally.

The coating is less than 100 nanometers thick to preserve the cotton’s flexibility and softness.

But here comes the catch when talking/using conductive thread or yarn: to ensure low resistance and allow power to flow freely through a medium it needs a certain cross section/thickness of conductive material to be efficient.

Reading nano scale layers of coating I seriously doubt this would be the best solution for electric current transfer. Maybe half of the collected sun energy will be lost along the thread before it hits the target.

Most conductive yarns on the market is conductive but come with a high resistance meaning the amount of electricity send out will be wasted while sending it over these yarn traces due to the resistance.

Designing wearable electronic needs considerable planning of conductive traces and distance between power source and power consuming elements and a careful selection of (very) low resistant yarn to ensure best use of electrical power coming from a battery or in this case, from the solar panels.

Coming back to the solar dress design – I love the concept, something solar power dress designer can take as inspirational input for future power dress designs.

[via: Cnet]

Noon not only redesigned their Website but also added a new, great looking solar bag model to their growing range of ecologically designed and manufactured solar power bags.

Like the whole range of Noon solar bags, the latest model called ‘Linden’ is made in the most sustainable and ecological way using leather processing free of heavy metal and other chemical substance and naturally dyed organic hemp canvas.

The natural dyeing process gives every bag a unique individuality, making each piece a one-of-a-kind bag.

The bags solar panel charges a battery pack inside the bag which can then supply power to cell phones, iPod or other personal devices day or night.

Making a complete charge of the on-bag battery takes around 6-8 hours in bright sunlight and naturally will extend when the sky is overcast.

The Linden solar bag has a retail price of $433.- and is available like the other solar bag models via their website.

Italian’s high end fashion brand  Ermenegildo Zegna is making a big impact again in the innovative, technology enhanced fashion arena with the launch of the Ecotech Solar Jacket as part of the Zegna Sport collection.

Almost 2 years after Zegna introduced the first top brand solar jacket in the market, the Solar JKT which had removable solar panels on the collar, a position I am not very convinced to be the best location on a jacket to harvest solar energy, Zegna moved the solar panels in the Ecotech Solar Jacket to the sleeves on the upper arms.

As in the first solar jacket version, the solar panels and storage battery can be detached to use it as stand alone solar power system and to remove it when cleaning the jacket.

The solar panels and battery are connected inside the jacket via a textile cable system which can safely withstand the washing cycle.

To fully justify the ‘ECO’ label, Zegna not only integrated the solar power feature but also made the Ecotech Solar Jacket from 100% recycled plastic sources. This new groundbreaking production process combines high level technical performance with the protection of the environment.

The on-jacket storage battery is capable to charge almost any portable electronic device such as cell phones, MP3 player and the likes. A full charge of the jackets battery requires four to five hours of direct sunlight, so a extended walk in the sunny autumn afternoon gives you pone free load for your beloved gadget.

Zegna Sports technical partners for this advanced solar power jacket have been German based Interactive Wear and Italian based Thermore.

Watch the YouTube video below showing the ‘making off’ Zegna Sports Ecotech Solar-Jacket:

Having enough power for all our essential communication and entertainment devices (read: cell-phone, iPod, DS) we need to carry around is already a challenge and all too often those devices run out in the worst possible moment.

Wearable Electronic will add to the challenge on how to ensure continuos power supply on the go without the need for huge, heavy batteries.

Much effort and research foes into wearable power to find the best technologies. Flexible solar cells have a huge potential although improvements have to be made in the efficiency and the production possibilities.

Researchers at the Risø National Laboratory in Denmark are looking for a simple way to print solar active paint onto textiles transforming clothing into a power source.

Two creative design student from the Danish Design School picked up these solar power printing technology and created beautiful looking solar fashion.

The ‘Vigorous Energy‘ solar fashion from Maria Langberg it inspired from ancient Egypt which was very much attached to the sun worshiping it in form of Ra the sun god.

Their history, architecture and their choice of material for their clothing together with their symbolism has inspired Maria to use the scarab, which is the symbol of the sun god Ra, as a pattern for her solar fashion collection.

‘Element-ary‘ is the name of the solar fashion collection from Tine Hertz which is inspired from her study of Architecture and her interest into the relation between the human body, the space and the architecture that surrounds us.

The ‘Element-ary’ dress which she dubbed an ‘energy tool’, Tina uses elements from architecture to create different three-dimensional shapes in which the solar cells are incorporated.

Two equally unique and highly inspirational solar clothing designs that demonstrate in an exceptionally beautiful way how technology can be merged seamlessly, making technology part of a designs aesthetic.

[via: Fashioning Technology]

The integration of solar panels into bags and backpacks are a common sign but now this solar power sucking technology is popping up in smaller cases as well. Point in case: Mobilefun‘s Solar Powered Case for iPhone 3G.

Power consumption on the iPhone 3G is a big concern as people struggle to survive one day without the need to recharge, something very difficult to do when away from home or office.

Mobilefun’s Solar Power Case can add a bit more time for browsing, reading emails or chat. Using glass based solar panels which have around 3x higher efficiency in converting sun light into electrical energy than their flexible counterpart, the Solar Powered Case charges in around 3 hours the 1500mAh battery inside the pouch giving a full recharge for the iPhone.

Because of the higher solar panel efficiency, the Solar Power cases will charge in normal daylight condition or in a bright office quite well just the 3 hours for a full charge will need direct sun exposure of the case (I wouldn’t leave my iPhone in full sun for that long).

If there is no sun at all, an included USB cable lets you charge the Solar Power Case battery from your computer makeing sure you have enough extra juice for a long day on the road.

Available from mid August by Mobilfun, the Solar Power Case comes in two styles/colors, the black more masculine style and the white feminine style with a price tag of around $54.- each.

[EcoGeek via Gizmodo]

The hottest Solar bags on the planet come from Noon Solar. Bold statement but proven to be true with their latest solar bag models: the brand new Oakley Solar Tote and the 2008 Cortland Solar Tote model.

Excellent news also for everyone who waited for an online shop to get the hands into one of those gorgeous looking eco-fashion bags: Pivot Boutique which opened in September 2007 in Chicago, a boutique devoted to eco-fashion has now it’s online presents and offers the whole range of Noon Solar bags, shipping them around the world.

Noon’s handbags are the smartest and best looking solar bags we have ever seen, charging all the our little gadgets while enjoying the summer sun.

The ‘eco’ of Noon’s bags does not stop with the solar panel. The bag’s exterior is made of chrome-free, naturally dyed and tanned leather.

The Cortland goes for $420.00 and measures 16″ x 13″ x 4”. The roomier Oakley goes for $390.00 (red model) and $378.00 (brown model) measuring 16″ x 14″ x 6″.

The price includes high quality components starting with the flexible solar panel, charging cable, the power bank with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, a wall charging adapter for rainy days, 4 USB phone tips and a USB cable to iPod cable.

Noon Solar’s complete 2008 collection offers plenty of fashionable choices to go ‘eco’ and power grid independent.

Check out the complete Noon Solar collection and let the sun-power be with you.

A new solar bag emerged just in time for the summer sun season, the Miles Solar Backpack from O-range.

This solar bag has all the attributes one is expecting from an Italian made product: beautiful design, high quality materials and love for details.

Italian based O-range is a design studio specializing in the creation of products related to the sport world. The O-rang bag project started in 2000 out of the passion O-rang’s design team has for traveling in innovative style.

They created a range of beautifully functional travel bags called ‘Departure’ for the sophisticated traveler and started adding the Miles Solar Backpack as the first model of the ‘Energy Independent’ range.

Using a flexible Solar panel which seamless melts into the bags design gives it the sophisticated travel look.

The many compartments and pockets at the inside of the backpack allows a well structured organization of all your stuff, easy to find back without turning the bag upside down.

A battery pack with load indicator keeps on sucking up all the energy the solar panel collects and a wide range of different tips guaranty that any and every of the common electronic devices can be connected and charged.

The excellent workmanship makes the Miles Solar Backpack more like a piece of art than an ‘ordinary’ backpack.

Get ready of your next trip in style, the Miles Solar Backpack is available for € 240.- (around $ 377.-) directly via the O-range online shop.

Noon launched as part of the Spring/Summer 2008 Solar bag collection new models of the beautiful Willow Tote which comes in three different color shades and using materials carefully chosen for their sustainability, longevity, and beauty.

Being environmentally conscious in style seems to be Noon’s mission. The new Willow Tote is the best example of having a power station in the bag which provides power grid independence on the move in a very fashionable way.

Using exquisite materials to underline the sustainable and environmental conscious product philosophy, the Willow Totes’ are made of sage colored organic hemp/cotton lining, collar-stud closure, antiqued brass hardware, 2 interior zipper pockets (for lithium-ion storage battery and electronics), 1 exterior box pleat front pocket and heavy metal-free, vegetable tanned and dyed, full-grain cowhide leather.

Noon Solar offers a wide range of compatibility for cell phones, PDAs and MP3 player. Noon’s solar energy converter and storage system is of high quality to ensure the sunlight is transformed into electrical power in to most effective way.

The Willow Tote provides enough storage space for your ‘plugged-in’ lifestyle measuring 12” x 12” x 4.5” and weights 2lbs. Three models you can choose from: Natural Organic Hemp – Midnight Blue Leather, Madder Red organic hemp/cotton – Chocolate Leather or Steel Circle organic hemp/cotton – Midnight Blue Leather (from top to bottom).

Each has the a price tag of $ 332.- and can be ordered now by sending an e-mail to: info@noonsolar.com that includes your name, shipping address and type of cell phone you own. Each bag will be shipped with the corresponding cell phone connector identified in the e-mail. On top of that, you get an ipod/iphone adapter.

Noon Solar will send you a PayPal invoice that can be settled via PayPal or with with a credit card (no need to be a PayPal member). Alternatively you can give them a call at 773-225-6141 and give the credit card number over the phone.

Noon Solar has still more to come like a large beach tote, large messenger, small purse, and the Cortland tote. As soon as they arrive you will see it first on talk2myShirt

Noon Solar starts selling the Spring/Summer 2008 solar bag collection. The first model launched is the Logan satchel which comes in three different finishings: the all leather Black Logan for $ 476.- the Midnight/Slate Logan and at the bottom the Chocolate/Olive Logan. The last two models go for $ 452.- each.

Noon Solar is not just making Solar bags, their solar bags are made of materials that can either bio-degrade naturally or be reclaimed and re-used. This ‘cradle to cradle’ philosophy, rather than the common ‘cradle to grave’ product lifespan helps minimizing the growth of our already overflowing landfills.

The use of an high end solar-to-electricity conversion module which shows the loading status of the battery, a very helpful feature to manage your power hungry gadgets, stores the sun energy for rainy or cloudy days.

Additionally the power module can be charged via mains to have power in your bag in case the sun is hiding too long. A handy power source when out and away from the power grid.

How do you get your hands on one of those cool but hot Logan satchels? Send an e-mail to: info@noonsolar.com that includes your name, shipping address and type of cell phone you own. Each bag will be shipped with the corresponding cell phone connector identified in the e-mail. On top of that, you get an ipod/iphone adapter.

Noon Solar will send you a PayPal invoice that can be settled via PayPal or with with a credit card (no need to be a PayPal member). Alternatively you can give them a call at 773-225-6141 and give the credit card number over the phone.

The ‘Willow tote‘ solar bag for the ladies will be available for sale in a week or two according to Noon Solar. We will let you know when the Willow tote hits the store.