The size of a typical netbook lid could support a solar panel rating of roughly 4 to 10 watts (lots of variables depending on how much they invest in a quality panel, type of cells used, etc). Consumption of a typical netbook/ultraportable in operation is many times that wattage. Thus, you could not run a typical ATOM netbook on current panel technology (not to mention that the panel would be pointed away from direct light when actually in use). In brief, you would be leaving it to charge all day in direct sunlight for…perhaps…an hour or two of use.

Nonetheless, a MIPS unit could be considerably more power efficient then an ATOM netbook, such that the contribution of the solar panel could be significant enough to be dependable. Pretty cool for access in the backcountry (particularly if you also have a panel for your cell phone for wireless access).

Given that the space on the back of the screen is usually wasted, would like to see this concept more widespread, particularly as both netbook power consumption and solar cell efficiency continue to improve

As long as it doesn't crack open in 5 years time that's fine. I don't care if the damn bio-plastic fades in five years that is meaningless as long as it works. Anything that makes our world less of a cess pit is a GOOD thing.

Those hippie types never quite think things through…

But the other aspects are interesting.