GIVEAWAY: Enter to win a Voltaic solar backpack in Inhabitat's Back to School Contest

It’s hard to believe, but fall is nearly upon us and a new semester will be in full swing sooner than we know it. Where did summer go? If you’re heading off to school, Inhabitat is here to help you hit the books with a lighter footprint – and in this year’s Back to School Contest we’re giving you the chance to win a Voltaic solar-power backpack to keep your phone and other gadgets charged all day! No more running out of juice between classes, and having to search for a power outlet. Our GRAND PRIZE WINNER will receive a $199 OffGrid 6W Solar Backpack, packed with 6 Watts of solar energy to power your phone, tablet, and USB devices anytime, anywhere. And our two RUNNER UP WINNERS will snag a $129 Converter Solar Backpack that will power you through a full day of classes. Read on to learn how to enter!

HOW TO ENTER:

1. SIGN UP FOR THE INHABITAT NEWSLETTER HERE > We’ll be announcing the winners in our weekly newsletter, so you’ll need to receive it to find out if you won!

2. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW telling us why you need a Voltaic Solar Backpack. The deadline for this giveaway is September 11, 2015. We’ll choose the comments we like best and announce the winners in our newsletter, so make sure you’re signed up!

DEADLINE IS 11:50 PM EST SEPT 18th, 2015

Giveaway only open to residents of U.S. and Canada.

Continue reading below

Our Featured Videos

GRAND PRIZE: The OffGrid 6W Solar Backpack

The OffGrid 6W Solar Backpack keeps smartphones and tablets fully charged at all times by walking in the sun or plugging into a USB port. You can expect 4 hours of smartphone usage from just 1 hour of sunlight. The best part is the detachable front solar pocket, which lets you take the 6 Watt system anywhere you go. Never again become stranded without a charger, when you can generate power as you go about your day. The V15 Battery pack includes a MicroUSB adapter, USB output and USB charging cable that connects to both iPhones or Androids, and generates a charge from any USB port. Its smart design sports a padded laptop sleeve, dual side pockets, and even a convenient sunglasses pocket, so you’ll be ready for anything that comes your way.

RUNNER UP PRIZES: The Converter Solar Backpack

Two runner up winners will receive Voltaic’s trusty Converter Solar Backpack, offering a compact design that’s perfect for your daily commute. Quickly charge your phone or tablet in this streamlined pack with 3.5 Watts of power, either with solar power or a USB. Sporting the same V15 Battery pack as the OffGrid, the Converter offers a clean design that keeps everything you need within arms reach. Get through the day with ease, and reduce your carbon footprint while your at it.

Enter now before it’s too late – get yourself on the newsletter and leave your comment below!

+ Voltaic

135 thoughts on “GIVEAWAY: Win a Voltaic solar backpack in Inhabitat’s Back to School Contest (worth $330)!”

Rick Rod August 15, 2017 at 12:46 pm

I would love to win the backpack to use when I ride my bike. The fact that it holds a water bottle AND charges my smart-phone is amazing!

Matai Yosef Ben Aharon August 5, 2017 at 5:27 pm

i love nature:))

Anonymous August 27, 2016 at 11:15 pm

I need a Voltaic Solar Backpack for all the times I'm commuting on my bicycle & my phone dies. For all the times I'm traveling or camping & having to find an outlet is an impossible task that just adds to the stress of the moment. For all the times that I'm with other people & their devices are dying. To have a Voltaic Solar Backpack would mean freedom, safety & piece of mind all rolled into one.

peter reischer August 17, 2016 at 3:40 pm

Great product, can save lives!

Anonymous August 16, 2016 at 8:24 pm

I would love to give this to my daughter for the new semester! She's blind & has audio textbooks

Anonymous September 19, 2015 at 2:35 pm

This would be so handy for our family. My husband has a long commute daily and we are a family that is always on the go. This would help keep us connected without having to be plugged in to keep up with work and our business while on the go or during long commutes

Anonymous September 18, 2015 at 1:06 pm

Love to win - what a great start to getting off the grid !

michelleshark September 17, 2015 at 7:31 pm

HEYY! I am a college student studying sustainability. Im currently learning about how difficult it is to convince people to live a greener lifestyle. I think influencing the people around you is one of the easiest ways to show people how awesome it is to care for the environment . What can be more awesome than a solar back pack? Not only would this back pack help me charge my gadgets between school and work ,but i can show my close ones that living green isn't just recycling .

Anonymous September 17, 2015 at 1:50 pm

I want to win this for my 12-year old son. Alex is fascinated with solar energy. When he was 5-years old we watched WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR and the film really effected him. Soon after, he told me that he wanted to invent the first "affordable solar car so people wouldn't have to use oil, there'd be less pollution and fewer wars for oil". Our town has a science museum for kids and whenever he's there he spends time in the solar section. I know that he would love a backpack like this and lead to him thinking about other practical uses for solar energy. Thanks!

Anonymous September 17, 2015 at 1:31 am

No more hunting for an outlet in the cafeteria and it's a great way to show others the benefits of Solar Energy!

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 11:59 pm

Well going on long site visits in the bright sun while using my phone does deplete both of our batteries ! This bag would come in handy for many purposes while promoting solar energy !

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 9:18 pm

As an Ecologist currently studying this would make life much easier!

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 7:12 pm

I love that you can charge up your backpack using the sun as you go about your travels. This is key for not having to find a plug for your gadgets.

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 4:58 pm

Currently on undeveloped property with RV on side of a mountain in the California Desert in development and planning to build a Greenhouse that will stand strong in harsh weather conditions and can also be used in disaster relief locations. I plan to do a video with instructional info made available would be ideal.

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 4:28 pm

My hubby would use this for all of his techie stuff.

emilieh97 September 16, 2015 at 4:09 pm

I'm going into renewable energy, and I'm hoping to travel around the world to remote locations. I want to show my support for the solar community and use the backpack as a teaching tool. Plus, it's pretty fricking awesome!!!

Becky VanGinkel September 16, 2015 at 3:34 pm

I'd love to win this Voltaic Solar Backpack for my husband and son to use on their adventures!! My husband is a Lineman and we recently moved to Grand Marais, MN on Lake Superior for his job. On the weekends he has been taking our 12 year old son hiking and fishing and camping up on the northern trails, off the grid. They'd use this pack to charge their Garmin and other gadgets that they take with them, and they'd both love this new tech gadget!! Thanks so much for the opportunity, and good luck to everyone :) [email protected]

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 3:08 pm

je suis pour tout ce qui est solaire... bonne énergie renouvelable .. on peut aller partout sans panne ... besoin pour mes déplacements théâtre ...

ritterrific September 16, 2015 at 3:06 pm

Tomorrow is my birthday (Whoopee!). I'll be 68 years old. I have less than two years to go to finish my Bachelor's degree, something I've been putting off for many years. There is a great state university on the bus line. I can see myself as possibly the oldest student in the school, busing to class with the coolest backpack.

kruddle September 16, 2015 at 12:42 pm

I am a fabric sculptor who teaches a class at The San Francisco Art Institute called "Nomadic Structures". In this class students make sculpture inspired by backpacks, tents, car campers, and all things nomadic and sustainable! I would like to do a short series of art activities that test the limits of this solar backpack (can I power my sewing machine with it?)and document with photographs. Finally, I will let my students explore the uses of the backpack the next time I teach "Nomadic Structures". -kateruddle.com -Kate Ruddle

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 12:38 pm

I move around a lot for work, and my phone still drains in my car charger if the GPS is on (which it is almost always). This would be the perfect answer to my prayers!

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 11:23 am

I work in social media and am a busy mommy on the move. A solar-charging backpack would be ideal for my daily/weekly work and mothering needs.

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 11:15 am

I am taking a job harvesting wild mushrooms in the forests of northwest territories, Canada. The days are long and the forests are very deep. Sometimes we work individually, and getting lost is something that has happened to the workers in the past. We have a camp, but there is no electricity so this would be an amazing piece of gear to have on hand. Being able to charging GPS's, phones, headlamps, lanterns and walkie-talkies would be a game changer for the safety of me and the team of workers. I'd be so grateful and feel much safer with this piece of gear on hand! Thanks inhabitat!:)

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 11:01 am

I am entering this contest with my children in mind. It would be really nice to not have to worry about whether or not their cell phones & other necessary gadgets are charged as they go about their busy schedules during the day. Thank you for providing much needed coverage of amazing new technology that is not only user friendly but helps the environment. Have a wonderful day.

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 10:52 am

this would be great for hiking!

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 10:45 am

This is the backpack of the future. Everyone should have one and soon hopefully everyone will ... including me? Amazing contest that shows people the power of solar and allows it to be used daily!

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 10:44 am

EVERYONE needs this bag. What a smart functional tool for everyday and travel :)

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 10:43 am

I am taking a job harvesting wild mushrooms in the forests of northwest territories, Canada. The days are long and the forests are very deep. Sometimes we work individually, and getting lost is something that has happened to the workers in the past. We have a camp, but there is no electricity so this would be an amazing piece of gear to have on hand. Being able to charge GPSs, phones, headlamps, lanterns and walkie-talkies would be a game changer for the safety of me and the team of workers. I'd be so grateful and feel much safer with this piece of gear on hand! Thanks inhabitat!:)

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 10:00 am

I would love to win for me and my husband because we use out phones and tablets all day, we find our selves with a dead battery often. My husband specially since he is in IT and needs them to remote in to fix issues for people. We have plenty of sun here in Florida and we love being green! :)

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 9:56 am

i need this backpack because i always run out of charge

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 9:38 am

I need a Solar Backpack because I spend 14 hrs a day in a remote Texas town running a small mom and pop business that by design we created to be as environmentally green as possible. we are continuously looking for off-the-grid solutions to help serve our limited resources needs

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 9:15 am

I believe that I should receive the Voltaic Solar Backpack because as an Electrical Engineer that one day wishes to work in that field. I need to learn more about photo voltaic cells. It would be fun and interesting to call that backpack my first experience with such cells. I believe that from using it daily, I will be able to learn more about what I wish to be doing daily in the future. And then be able to contribute back to the community. Thank you!

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 8:56 am

As a new media artist who does environmental and site specific work, I often find myself out "in the field" to install new work. While I work on the installations, the backpack will keep my tools charged using the renewable source of sunpower.

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 8:33 am

Because I live in Brazil and Need to give some utility to this enormous and hot sun in my head.

Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 4:17 am

This bag will save my time. I wouldn't have to wait to get my gadgets charged before leaving for school. My professors will be proud of me since I'll never get late for class. That will improve my grades. And by the way, this bag is really cool! Thanks!

Rick Rod August 15, 2017 at 12:46 pm

I would love to win the backpack to use when I ride my bike. The fact that it holds a water bottle AND charges my smart-phone is amazing!
Matai Yosef Ben Aharon August 5, 2017 at 5:27 pm

i love nature:))
Anonymous August 27, 2016 at 11:15 pm

I need a Voltaic Solar Backpack for all the times I'm commuting on my bicycle & my phone dies. For all the times I'm traveling or camping & having to find an outlet is an impossible task that just adds to the stress of the moment. For all the times that I'm with other people & their devices are dying. To have a Voltaic Solar Backpack would mean freedom, safety & piece of mind all rolled into one.
peter reischer August 17, 2016 at 3:40 pm

Great product, can save lives!
Anonymous August 16, 2016 at 8:24 pm

I would love to give this to my daughter for the new semester! She's blind & has audio textbooks
Anonymous September 19, 2015 at 2:35 pm

This would be so handy for our family. My husband has a long commute daily and we are a family that is always on the go. This would help keep us connected without having to be plugged in to keep up with work and our business while on the go or during long commutes
Anonymous September 18, 2015 at 1:06 pm

Love to win - what a great start to getting off the grid !
michelleshark September 17, 2015 at 7:31 pm

HEYY! I am a college student studying sustainability. Im currently learning about how difficult it is to convince people to live a greener lifestyle. I think influencing the people around you is one of the easiest ways to show people how awesome it is to care for the environment . What can be more awesome than a solar back pack? Not only would this back pack help me charge my gadgets between school and work ,but i can show my close ones that living green isn't just recycling .
Anonymous September 17, 2015 at 1:50 pm

I want to win this for my 12-year old son. Alex is fascinated with solar energy. When he was 5-years old we watched WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR and the film really effected him. Soon after, he told me that he wanted to invent the first "affordable solar car so people wouldn't have to use oil, there'd be less pollution and fewer wars for oil". Our town has a science museum for kids and whenever he's there he spends time in the solar section. I know that he would love a backpack like this and lead to him thinking about other practical uses for solar energy. Thanks!
Anonymous September 17, 2015 at 1:31 am

No more hunting for an outlet in the cafeteria and it's a great way to show others the benefits of Solar Energy!
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 11:59 pm

Well going on long site visits in the bright sun while using my phone does deplete both of our batteries ! This bag would come in handy for many purposes while promoting solar energy !
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 9:18 pm

As an Ecologist currently studying this would make life much easier!
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 7:12 pm

I love that you can charge up your backpack using the sun as you go about your travels. This is key for not having to find a plug for your gadgets.
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 4:58 pm

Currently on undeveloped property with RV on side of a mountain in the California Desert in development and planning to build a Greenhouse that will stand strong in harsh weather conditions and can also be used in disaster relief locations. I plan to do a video with instructional info made available would be ideal.
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 4:28 pm

My hubby would use this for all of his techie stuff.
emilieh97 September 16, 2015 at 4:09 pm

I'm going into renewable energy, and I'm hoping to travel around the world to remote locations. I want to show my support for the solar community and use the backpack as a teaching tool. Plus, it's pretty fricking awesome!!!
Becky VanGinkel September 16, 2015 at 3:34 pm

I'd love to win this Voltaic Solar Backpack for my husband and son to use on their adventures!! My husband is a Lineman and we recently moved to Grand Marais, MN on Lake Superior for his job. On the weekends he has been taking our 12 year old son hiking and fishing and camping up on the northern trails, off the grid. They'd use this pack to charge their Garmin and other gadgets that they take with them, and they'd both love this new tech gadget!! Thanks so much for the opportunity, and good luck to everyone :) [email protected]
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 3:08 pm

je suis pour tout ce qui est solaire... bonne énergie renouvelable .. on peut aller partout sans panne ... besoin pour mes déplacements théâtre ...
ritterrific September 16, 2015 at 3:06 pm

Tomorrow is my birthday (Whoopee!). I'll be 68 years old. I have less than two years to go to finish my Bachelor's degree, something I've been putting off for many years. There is a great state university on the bus line. I can see myself as possibly the oldest student in the school, busing to class with the coolest backpack.
kruddle September 16, 2015 at 12:42 pm

I am a fabric sculptor who teaches a class at The San Francisco Art Institute called "Nomadic Structures". In this class students make sculpture inspired by backpacks, tents, car campers, and all things nomadic and sustainable! I would like to do a short series of art activities that test the limits of this solar backpack (can I power my sewing machine with it?)and document with photographs. Finally, I will let my students explore the uses of the backpack the next time I teach "Nomadic Structures". -kateruddle.com -Kate Ruddle
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 12:38 pm

I move around a lot for work, and my phone still drains in my car charger if the GPS is on (which it is almost always). This would be the perfect answer to my prayers!
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 11:23 am

I work in social media and am a busy mommy on the move. A solar-charging backpack would be ideal for my daily/weekly work and mothering needs.
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 11:15 am

I am taking a job harvesting wild mushrooms in the forests of northwest territories, Canada. The days are long and the forests are very deep. Sometimes we work individually, and getting lost is something that has happened to the workers in the past. We have a camp, but there is no electricity so this would be an amazing piece of gear to have on hand. Being able to charging GPS's, phones, headlamps, lanterns and walkie-talkies would be a game changer for the safety of me and the team of workers. I'd be so grateful and feel much safer with this piece of gear on hand! Thanks inhabitat!:)
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 11:01 am

I am entering this contest with my children in mind. It would be really nice to not have to worry about whether or not their cell phones & other necessary gadgets are charged as they go about their busy schedules during the day. Thank you for providing much needed coverage of amazing new technology that is not only user friendly but helps the environment. Have a wonderful day.
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 10:52 am

this would be great for hiking!
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 10:45 am

This is the backpack of the future. Everyone should have one and soon hopefully everyone will ... including me? Amazing contest that shows people the power of solar and allows it to be used daily!
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 10:44 am

EVERYONE needs this bag. What a smart functional tool for everyday and travel :)
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 10:43 am

I am taking a job harvesting wild mushrooms in the forests of northwest territories, Canada. The days are long and the forests are very deep. Sometimes we work individually, and getting lost is something that has happened to the workers in the past. We have a camp, but there is no electricity so this would be an amazing piece of gear to have on hand. Being able to charge GPSs, phones, headlamps, lanterns and walkie-talkies would be a game changer for the safety of me and the team of workers. I'd be so grateful and feel much safer with this piece of gear on hand! Thanks inhabitat!:)
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 10:00 am

I would love to win for me and my husband because we use out phones and tablets all day, we find our selves with a dead battery often. My husband specially since he is in IT and needs them to remote in to fix issues for people. We have plenty of sun here in Florida and we love being green! :)
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 9:56 am

i need this backpack because i always run out of charge
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 9:38 am

I need a Solar Backpack because I spend 14 hrs a day in a remote Texas town running a small mom and pop business that by design we created to be as environmentally green as possible. we are continuously looking for off-the-grid solutions to help serve our limited resources needs
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 9:15 am

I believe that I should receive the Voltaic Solar Backpack because as an Electrical Engineer that one day wishes to work in that field. I need to learn more about photo voltaic cells. It would be fun and interesting to call that backpack my first experience with such cells. I believe that from using it daily, I will be able to learn more about what I wish to be doing daily in the future. And then be able to contribute back to the community. Thank you!
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 8:56 am

As a new media artist who does environmental and site specific work, I often find myself out "in the field" to install new work. While I work on the installations, the backpack will keep my tools charged using the renewable source of sunpower.
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 8:33 am

Because I live in Brazil and Need to give some utility to this enormous and hot sun in my head.
Anonymous September 16, 2015 at 4:17 am

This bag will save my time. I wouldn't have to wait to get my gadgets charged before leaving for school. My professors will be proud of me since I'll never get late for class. That will improve my grades. And by the way, this bag is really cool! Thanks!