Artefact no.: 2011.0004
Manufacturer: NoonSolar
Chicago, IL, USA
Date: 2010
Source: Purchased

The NoonSolar handbag features built-in solar technology used to power devises such as iPods or cell phones. Designed for a person that walks to work or spends time outside, the bag is carried over a shoulder with the solar panel exposed to allow the solar cell to charge a battery.

The panel is based on organic solar cell technology developed at the National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa. The organic cells are printed on thin films using the same printing technology as Polaroid film.

In the early 2000s, the NRC was approached by Konarka, a US company that wanted to produce solar cells based on NRC's technology. The thin, flexible solar cells were further developed and tested for Konarka who prints the solar cells. Other manufacturers incorporate the cells in a variety of products such as laptop bags, handbags, backpacks, umbrellas, clothing including military applications.