Carrying the sun on your back

We here at Easy Being Green are big fans of solar energy. Sure, we may sell the occasional solar gadget, but do we really walk the walk or do we just talk?

I would love to say that we do both, but I'd be lying.

You see, I could have been a cool environmentalist and made my own solar bag/backpack/messenger bag out of a bag I already have, but I went the trendy consumerist way and ordered one from Voltaic Systems. Now hold on, let me explain before you grab the pitchforks and torches.

As a sort of unofficial spokesman for the whole green movement (as we all should be), I saw it as my responsibility to get people talking about alternative energy (as we all should), so when I first heard about solar bags, I knew I had to have one.

Let me also say that this is not a commercial for Voltaic Systems. I am not an employee; I see no money from this whatsoever.

Now that all of that is out of the way, I have to tell you how incredible and liberating it is to have a bag that not only carries my stuff (books, cell phone, mp3 player, more books, camera, etc), but provides me with free electricity? I can charge ANY device that connects with a USB cable. Rechargeable batteries? Ordered a USB battery charger online. My phone's battery getting low? Pop one of the AA batteries into the charger.

Not only is it incredibly functional (and cost effective), it is a great conversation piece. Wherever I go, people ask me if those really are solar panels on my backpack and what they are for. I even had a guy yell out his car window at 10pm to ask what they were for. Seriously. He was stopped at an intersection I was waiting to cross and started yelling about how cool my bag was.

So whether you buy one or make your own, pull the plug on your appliances and put the sun's abundant energy in a bag.

There's nothing quite so cathartic as lifting your cell phone above your head and, while cackling wickedly, shout "This phone...is powered...BY THE SUN!"

Ok, maybe that's a bit of a stretch.

Be good,
-David
Easy Being Green