Reware's solar powered bags do just what the company hoped: they get people thinking. At trade shows and in emails, the minds behind the Washington DC-based Reware constantly hear from consumers who are so electrified by their Juice Bags, they want to learn more about renewable energy. Customers ask: Where can I get solar panels for my roof? What are energy credits? How can you generate power from wind?

Juice Bags are like a socket for your back. Soak in a sunny spot and the bag recharges your phone, iPod, digital camera, or other electronic device as fast as plugging it into any wall outlet. Reware outfits the bags—made out of fabric woven from recycled soda bottles—with flexible, lightweight, waterproof solar panels. Unlike the competition, these bags don't require an extra battery pack, which requires charging at home and adds to your electric bill. Juice Bags get every watt of power from the sun. With no moving parts, noise, or heat, the bags generate free energy from sunlight. Just plug your electronics into the bag's socket that looks like the cigarette lighter socket in your car.

Plus, Juice Bags travel abroad with ease. The folks at Reware didn't want to make money off of people buying extra adapters just to make the bag work. So, they made sure the car adapters sold by the manufacturers of your electronic gadgets slip right into the socket, no matter what country you're in.

For the fashion conscious, the packs come in an assortment of colors and convert from backpacks to shoulder bags with the flip of a padded strap, which is made with recycled carpet padding. The current versions of the electrifying sack work best lugging books around campus, commuting to the office, and going on day trips. Adventurers headed into the wireless wilderness may want to hold off buying a Juice Bag. Reware's rugged travel gear is heading down the pipeline soon.

Reware Juice Bags

Cost: varies depending on type of bag and vendor, $189-$270

Where to Buy: Real Goods catalog, Gaiam, Reware Store.

Photo: Reware