Solarsac

Hello again Mark, I just commented on your Radi8, you’ve got good stuff here.  I think the PVC panelled backpack has been done, but this idea of single strands of photovoltaic “thread” weaved together to make a fabric (or phabric!) is really something, and you should run with that.  I mean it could be incorporated into your outerwear jacket to power your phone, or with an integrated mp3 player (the earbuds pack into the collar when not used!).  Think of places where heavy photovoltaics take up space and are necessary (like on sail boats!) and with hundreds of square feet of sail fabric exposed to the sun.  Youd have an instant, huge market for phabric,....have you looked into what it would take to make a PVC thread?

If the photovoltaic fabric was made as a detachable panel it could be transferred from rucksack, to tent, kayak, boat, etc.
The fabric is available already. Just needs the application and electronics adding.

Multiple uses would be good. The only issue i can see with a detachable pannel is that you are carring an extra item. If the photovoltaic threads were an intergral part of the fabric then it would be cheaper to make. Much in the same ways as solar pannels on a roof have a huge payback but if you replaced your roof and used solar pannels taht were structural it greatly reduces the cost.

I just found this, try googling:
Millet Solar Pack Covers
I know your idea is a PV fabric that can be used to make lots of things, but this just goes to show what type of compitition is out there.
Cheers

I get the idea to get it integrated and reduce the weight penalty. I’ve never used a rucksac cover. Think the rucksac should be waterproof. Now if this idea and the drying bag were combined in a rucksac so you could dry kit without it flapping about as you hauled or walked along. You could supplement the generated current, in winter, with an array of those generators worked by shaking (like in the torches without batteries). The rucksac could re-charge batteries, then when they were topped up, dry clothes.