solar power

HYmini has revealed its latest renewable energy charging solution at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. This foldable, fully portable contraption includes its own solar panel and wind turbine.

As long as the wind is blowing and the sun is shining the Biscuit will charge two AA batteries stashed inside the frame. The device also includes a USB port for charging other devices via USB cable.

What a great product. Novothink's Surge for iPhone and iPod Touch is the first solar charger to be certified by Apple. This slip-on case has its own internal battery and LED status lights, and a mini-solar panel on the back of the unit.

Surge allows full access to the iPhone, with openings to the speakers, USB cable port, and camera. There's even a cord included to hang the iPhone from a backpack or your belt while outside to charge it up.

Solarjo's Power Purse has risen from the plethora of drab looking, clunky solar bags as one that actually looks fashionable. Three years ago designer Joe Hynek realized that solar accessories lacked style and decided to create something more appealing and the result was the Power Purse. According to Mr. Hynek, "A large problem with putting technology in clothing is that it looks unfashionable... My goal is to use solar cells in a way that's unobtrusive to fashion while making something useful." At $285 USD it is not quite as pricey as a designer bag and also quite a bit cheaper than the typical $1500 solar briefcase or $300-$400 carry-on style bag.

The purse is covered with PV cells that are laminated to protect them from scratches. In just two hours of exposure to the sun (which could easily be achieved simply by setting it in the window while at work) the purse can harness enough solar energy to

Dead batteries on a laptop, mobile phone, GPS unit, etc. can really spell disaster these days when everyone needs to be constantly connected, either for work or other reasons. Voltaic Systems Inc. has developed a solution, and a very green one at that.

Voltaic's new laptop case, the Generator, is the first of its kind capable of fully charging a laptop computer. Its tightly packed high efficiency solar cells are capable of generating up to 17