To power a laptop and other devices such as a camera and phone, when no power grid is accessible it seems two things are required.
-Power source: a solar panel, hand-crank or other device capable of generating power
-Power storage: this is to store and modulate the flow of power so that devices don't get too little or too much
A solar panel seems to be the lightest and easiest solution for generating power, at least that I can find.
Brunton makes various sized portable solar panels, ranging from 5W up to 50W. I'm still not sure which size I'm going to end up needing to keep my laptop powered, though I figure it needs to be able to come close to fully regenerating the Macbook Airs battery from a single day of sun(I'd settle for half filled per day though).
The Explorer is only 4.8 ounces and generates 5W. But thats under ideal sunlight, and it seems most places in the US don't get more than 5-6 hours of it per day. Also this thing would be strapped to my backpack and likely have a far from perfect angle to the sun most of the time. Perhaps I could carry an umbrella and strap this thing on top, that might increase the output.
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