Comments on: U.S. Army Deploys Solar Power Backpacks in Afghanistan

By: SAGE defence: A solar powered army of energy managers : Renew Economy

SAGE defence: A solar powered army of energy managers : Renew Economy — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 04:28:37 +0000

[…] Army had been slowly but steadily introducing portable solar power and other new energy equipment at forward operating bases on a piecemeal basis. The new initiative, […]

By: U.S. Army Tests Solar Power at Fort Devens

U.S. Army Tests Solar Power at Fort Devens — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 06:57:54 +0000

[…] Army had been slowly but steadily introducing portable solar power and other new energy equipment at forward operating bases on a piecemeal basis. The new initiative, […]

By: U.S. Army Trains for Combat with Solar Power - CleanTechnica

U.S. Army Trains for Combat with Solar Power - CleanTechnica — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:41:09 +0000

[…] Net Zero program, which is gathering steam this spring. Last year, the Army began issuing backpack solar kits to soldiers in Afghanistan for operations on the go, and now the program is ramping it up a level […]

By: Solar Company Gears Up for Battle, with Real Bullets | CleanTechnica

Solar Company Gears Up for Battle, with Real Bullets | CleanTechnica — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:05:46 +0000

[…] introducing various portable and shippable solar devices including a flexible solar power tent, solar-in-a-backpack kits, and solar panels that pack up like suitcases.A Solar Power Cogeneration TwoferPhotovoltaic […]

By: More Portable Solar and Wind Power for the U.S. Military | CleanTechnica

More Portable Solar and Wind Power for the U.S. Military | CleanTechnica — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:29:16 +0000

[…] energy is the wave of the future for the U.S. military. The U.S. marines are field-testing solar power backpack kits, the Army is looking into shippable, micro-mini renewable energy grids, and the Air Force is […]

By: Diamonds are a Quantum Computer's Best Friend | CleanTechnica

Diamonds are a Quantum Computer's Best Friend | CleanTechnica — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:01:25 +0000

[…] promotion of renewable energy projects that easily cross over to civilian use, including portable solar power kits, geothermal energy, and aviation biofuels.Last week, Englund was awarded the prestigious […]

By: End of Battery Nightmare for U.S. Soldiers – CleanTechnica: Cleantech innovation news and views

Wed, 25 May 2011 11:01:30 +0000

[…] batteries have been called a logistical nightmare by the U.S. Army, and for good reason. With the increasing use of electronic gear, today’s […]

By: Lisa Rahder

Lisa Rahder — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:54:19 +0000

During the Chicago Air Show a good ten or more years ago, a military exhibit was mocked up featured a Humvee covered in a solar blanket that powered all of the laptops and printer in the vehicle (several). I asked the soldier about the blanket, which easily covered the entire Humvee. He explained its power specs, then aid that, sadly, the military would stop using them because the US supplier was going out of business.

(I though, heck, the US should buy the company!)

Anyway, I think of that blanket as Chicago plans to install electric-boost stations around the city for recharging electric cars (Chicago will have mos=re such stations than any US city): this blanket could recharge cars during days they are not driven…

(And yes, US troops carrying “Hello Kitty” backpacks is as big a story as the solar blankets)

By: Richard B.

Richard B. — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 10:04:29 +0000

Future headline in the Irony Times: War for Oil Won With Solar Power

By: David

David — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:51:51 +0000

Keep watching folks. The military’s research into harvesting solar power & making/using alternative motor fuels to support current and future opertions will have a benefit to our economy way beyond the cost of the research and devlopment.

Two examples from the 60s, 70s & 80s of military R&D that we use today in the civilian world are the internet and the GPS system. What has been the economic benefit to the US of the internet & the GPS system? Be willing to bet that it has been many thousands of times the R & D cost.

There will be a time when nano scale solar cells are incorporated into uniforms, tents, vehicles paints, etcetara to supply electric power for concurrent use or battery storage. Obviously when the military perfects this nano scale solar technology it will migrate over to the civilian world incorporated into house paint, roof shingles, etcetera.

By: Edric Thompson

Edric Thompson — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:14:01 +0000

Tina, if you think that’s neat, you should really check this out:

http://science.dodlive.mil/2010/08/26/the-bio-battery-converting-sugar-into-electrical-energy/

By: Edric Thompson

Edric Thompson — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:07:06 +0000

Nice post! But check out this one written by the Army Power engineer. It includes a good picture of the actual system, which is NOT a pink backpack, I might add!

http://science.dodlive.mil/2010/08/24/new-army-battery-recharging-kits-run-on-renewable-energy/

By: Name (required)

Name (required) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:09:51 +0000

It would be better if all of the troops were home period.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:23:59 +0000

Were these solar-powered rucksacks developed by BAE Systems? Just wondering.

By: Tina Casey

Tina Casey — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:53:15 +0000

Hi Patrick, they were developed by the Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), and I believe they were manufactured by MaxaVision Technologies.