Backpack Solar Power – Jim and Nancy Beletti

Due to the cold weather in the evening during our visit to Disney World in Florida this January, we needed to take jackets, gloves and such with us each day. Due to a huge saturation of Virtual Munzees placed in Disney World, I had the need for a LOT of battery power for my iPhone 5.

In order to aid in both of these areas, I emptied out my work backpack and used it to haul my jacket, iPad and a few other miscellaneous items. Then, I used Velcro to attach a small solar charging battery pack to the backpack. While I can’t recommend that this particular solar charging battery pack, I can recommend the idea of a solar backpack if you need the extra power.

See the white charge cable on my left shoulder. It comes from the solar charging battery pack on the back of the backpack and is plugged into my iPhone 5 in my shirt pocket.

Here's the solar charging battery back, mounted with Velcro to the backpack. — Here’s the solar charging battery back, mounted with Velcro to the backpack.

Here's a closeup shot of the solar charging battery pack. I have the multi-plug dongle connected to it. It came with the pack. — Here’s a closeup shot of the solar charging battery pack. I have the multi-plug dongle connected to it. It came with the pack.

I’m looking at other brands and models of battery packs and solar charging panels. Looking hard at the Goal Zero brand.

Here’s what I am considering. It’s the Goal Zero Switch 8 and Nomad 7 Solar Panel. These items are available separately or as the “Goal Zero Switch 8 Solar Kit”.

I’m also looking at actual production Solar backpacks (Google Shopping link) / Amazon Shopping link. I think they’re interesting but would not likely use a backpack enough to warrant owning one dedicated to solar. I’d probably prefer the flexibility to have the solar portion be more universal/portable.