July 20, 2004

By: Mark Barnett
Website: http://www.1st-in-batteries.com

Company debuts solar powered jacket; charge your iPod on-the-go

ICP Solar Technologies Inc., the world's largest developer of solar products for consumers, and SCOTTeVEST LLC, the leading Technology Enabled Clothing company, unveiled the first solar power jacket prototypes designed to allow wearers to carry, connect and charge their portable digital devices, such as Apple's iPod, at the 2004 International CES

The ICP Global Solar division is integrating ICP’s flexible thin-film photovoltaic technologies in three models of SCOTTeVEST jackets. These jackets will allow wearers to carry, connect and charge their portable digital devices in one convenient and fully integrated package. Strategically mounted CIGS panels are pre-wired, providing solar power to individual devices for power storage (charging) or immediate consumption.

These prototypes clearly show the full commercial potential of ICP’s exclusive flexible solar technology in the world of intelligent clothing, said Sass M. Peress, President and CEO of ICP Solar Technologies Inc in the press release.

ICP Global Solar CIGS technology is a high efficiency, ultra lightweight personal solar power solution that has proved itself in numerous applications, ranging from marine to desert environments.

It is a highly durable and self-repairing solar technology, ideally suited for mobile applications. Combined with integrated charge control and optional battery/charger systems, it provides the conveniences of back-up and always on, on-demand small scale solar electrical power.

As we move to an always-on environment, how can people depend on their device if in three to four hours they are going to lose their charge?' said Scott Jordan, CEO ofScotteVest, which designed the jacket and its wiring technology... When the solar jacket launches this spring, Jordan said it will retail for about $300, Kari L. Dean reports for Wired News.

The jacket has two small snap-on photovoltaic panels that fit onto its shoulders. These charcoal-gray solar panels convert the sun's rays into energy, which then feed a hidden battery pack about the size of a deck of cards.

The batteries are wired to all the pockets, which can have almost any mobile devices plugged into them, Dean reports.

Since power cannot be transferred wirelessly, ICP and TEC designers were faced with different power-connector protocols for mobile devices. Consequently, the jacket will be sold with a small assortment of adapters to accommodate all major lines of phones, PDAs, cameras and other mobile devices. For more information, see .

About The Author:

Mark Barnett is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-batteries.com.  A great resource for batteries of all kinds including camcorder, laptop, cell phone and more.