One European summer day, the CEO and Founder of Voltaic Systems, Shayne McQuade, found himself in the middle of Spain with a dead phone battery. Many would just look for somewhere to charge the device, but Shayne had a better idea.
What if instead of seeking out a means of charging the phone, a power source was always on your person?
Thus sparked the idea of portable solar-powered backpacks and bags [1].
“The ‘Internet of Things’ has taken off, and we see a proliferation of devices and sensors in the most-remote locations imaginable. They all need power to operate; our role is to design custom solar systems, at the right scale, capable of surviving unattended in these conditions. [2]”
Rugged, built-to-last, and user-friendly solar-powered batteries – his is the idea that Voltaic systems had in mind when they started their Kickstarter project. The project itself was initially asking for $24,000, but drastically exceeded the goal. 195 people backed this project and contributed $43,173 in total, almost doubling the requested amount [1].
Voltaic Systems, largely based in Brooklyn, New York, has three specific motives:
- Charge everything,
- Keep customers running,
- And most importantly, conserve resources [3].
When manufacturing their solar panels, Voltaic Systems identify and use preferable materials so the devices are modular and easy to repair, and ensures that their solar panels are long lasting to reduce packaging [3].
“When the latest and greatest phone is released, we head to the store like everyone else to get a look. We're not checking out the design though. We're looking for compatibility with our system and power requirements. While many devices charge from USB, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make sure that charge happens consistently and efficiently.
We're also looking at how to connect to MacBooks, digital cameras, GPS systems and every device that comes with a proprietary connection. So if you have a new iPhone, an ancient Motorola, an Arduino or a Marantz PMD-661 Sound Recorder, we'll figure out what it takes to keep you charged. [3]”
To learn more about Voltaic Systems’ KickStarter project, you can watch their demonstrational video on their website.
Voltaic Systems Solar Products
Converter Solar Backpack | $129.00 USD
This backpack comes equipped with the following:
-
4,000mAh USB battery pack
- 20 litres of storage
- A padded 15” laptop/tablet sleeve
The Converter Solar backpack is made of 21 recycled plastic water bottles. The Converter offers 1.5 smartphone charges, requires 3 hours of sun to charge a smartphone to full battery, and allows for three hours of smartphone usage from one hour being under the sun [4].
This backpack is the more affordable option in comparison to the OffGrid and the Array versions, but wields a smaller battery and a weaker solar panel.
OffGrid Solar Backpack | $199.00 USD
This backpack comes equipped with the following:
- 12,000mAh USB battery
- 25 litres of storage
- A padded 15” laptop sleeve
The OffGrid Solar backpack is made of 33 recycled plastic bottles [5]. This backpack can hold four smartphone charges, requires only 1.8 hours of sunlight to charge a smartphone to 100% and can provide six hours of smartphone usage from one hour in the sun [5].
Although more expensive than the Converter edition of the backpack, it holds three times the amount of charge in its battery pack and sports an increase of 5L in storage.
Switch Solar Bag | $99.00 USD
This bag resembles more of a purse or satchel, rather than a backpack.
With a singular over-the-shoulder strap, this lightweight solar bag comes equipped with the following:
- 4,000mAh USB battery pack
- A padded tablet sleeve for up to 10” tablets [6]
The battery can hold enough charge to provide 1.5x smartphone charges, requires 3 hours in the sun to charge a smartphone to full, and can provide 4 hours of smartphone usage from one hour being under the sun [6].
As for tablets, the battery can provide 0.35x tablet charges, and it requires 11 hours in the sun to charge a tablet to a full battery and provides 50 minutes of tablet usage from one hour of being under the sun.
Each of Voltaic Systems’ cases, backpacks, bags and panels, have warranties for defects in materials and workmanship that last for two years after the date of purchase. Meanwhile, the batteries they sell have active warranties for one year after the date of purchase, all of which have components that Voltaic Systems will replace/repair free of charge within that time period [7].
Voltaic Systems also provide customers with a full refund for returned items within the 30 days of the customer’s purchase date and are in new condition [7].
Sustainability in Action
Voltaic Systems involves itself commonly throughout many sustainability projects and practices. For example, Voltaic Systems has provided Wildlife Protection Solutions with solar panels so they can power motion-sensing trap cameras to detect and deter wildlife crime in places across the world, like Madagascar and Africa [8].
Without the solar panels, the group would not be able to locate the cameras effectively where there is no electrical infrastructure.
Another example of a sustainability initiative that Voltaic Systems is helping with is remote water level monitoring.
The company has provided Pacific Watershed Associates, an environmental and engineering firm that specializes in complex watershed issues, with solar panels to help power their ultrasonic sensors that measure stream height and stage [9].
By monitoring these levels remotely, Pacific Watershed can shut down the valve or alert farmers to shut off the valve manually if the water levels fall below a specific level [9].
Useful for students?
If you are a student who enjoys walking to class instead of taking a bus, 
and finds themselves spending a lot of time studying, working and researching outside, or have to walk longer distances to get between classes, these bags will provide you with the convenience of having your devices charging nearly all the time.
Specifically the OffGrid solar backpack, as its battery can provide six hours of smartphone usage from only one hour in the sunlight. Especially in the Spring and early Fall terms, students who utilize the outdoor study areas across campus will find these bags to be useful, and in cases of days that require a lot of device usage, necessary.
Voltaic Systems | Array and OffGrid | A New Generation of Solar Backpacks
References
[1] Voltaic Systems. Array OffGrid | A New Generation of Solar Backpacks. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/voltaicsystems/array-offgrid-a-new-generation-of-solar-backpacks
[2] Doherty, B. (2016, October 21). 41 Companies Imagining the Future From a Brooklyn Shipyard. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from http://nymag.com/selectall/2016/10/41-companies-imagining-the-future-from-a-brooklyn-shipyard.html
[3] Voltaic Systems. About Us. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www.voltaicsystems.com/about-us
[4] Voltaic Systems. Converter Solar Backpack. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www.voltaicsystems.com/converter
[5] Voltaic Systems. OffGrid Solar Backpack. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www.voltaicsystems.com/offgrid
[6] Voltaic Systems. Switch Solar Bag. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www.voltaicsystems.com/switch
[7] Voltaic Systems. Warranty & Returns. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www.voltaicsystems.com/warranty_returns
[8] Voltaic Systems. (2018, April 2). Combating Poaching with Solar Powered Cameras. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www.voltaicsystems.com/blog/anti-poaching-solar-powered-cameras/
[9] Voltaic Systems. (2018, April 2). Remote Water Level Monitoring. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www.voltaicsystems.com/blog/remote-water-level-monitoring/
