Imagine pulling a wind turbine from your backpack that is about the size of a water bottle. That is the idea behind Shine 2.0, a new portable turbine from Canadian brand Shine Turbine that turns a steady breeze into electricity.
The device is now on Indiegogo, pitching itself as a wind-powered partner to the solar panels and power banks campers already carry.
The turbine weighs about 1.3 kilograms, or just under 3 pounds, and can recharge gear from phones to small power stations once wind speeds hit roughly 13 kilometers per hour. It also includes a 12,000 milliamp hour battery, so it stores energy and works like a regular power bank when the air is still.
A backpack size wind turbine for off-grid power
Portable wind turbines have existed for years, but many have been fragile or underpowered. Cheap kits and mini turbines often promise a few watts but then break or disappoint, which is why many campers still trust a simple solar panel first.
Outdoor site GearJunkie, which first reported on Shine 2.0, notes that portable turbines have long been seen as finicky compared with solar.
Shine wants to change that reputation with a design it says is compact, durable, and efficient. Company spokesperson Vanessa Ferguson said “Shine has one of the highest power-to-weight ratios among portable chargers” and stressed that it can work day or night, in rain or sun, wherever the wind is consistent.
The 2.0 version increases rated output from 40 watts to 50 watts and uses an internal controller that automatically adjusts as wind speeds vary between about 13 and 45 kilometers per hour, while a Bluetooth app lets users check battery level and recent energy production.
Price, availability and who it is for
The Shine 2.0 campaign launched on Indiegogo in September and is scheduled to run until March, with units expected to ship in April 2025. An early-bird offer lists the turbine at $400, and campaign figures show more than $772,000 pledged by nearly 1,500 supporters.
Shine says it has already shipped the first generation turbine to over 2,300 customers in North America and Europe, giving it a track record many crowdfunded gadgets never reach.
So who is this tiny turbine really for? Shine points to overland travelers, surfers, field researchers, rural homeowners, and anyone who needs backup power during outages at home, especially in coastal or open areas where the wind is steady.
Users can also charge the 12,000 milliamp hour battery from a wall outlet before a trip and treat it as a simple power bank, and the company is planning a larger Shine 3.0 system for bigger devices and vehicle charging. For now, Shine 2.0 offers a compact way to see whether wind deserves a place next to solar in an off-grid setup.
