If you are find that it can hard to be both environmentally and fashion conscious, keep the faith, because the solar-powered handbag is here.

Joe Hynek, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering at Iowa State University, designed the “Solarjo Power Purse” during a handbag competition in an experimental garment design class.

The black, rectangular purse, which is covered in laminated solar panels, is capable of powering any small device that uses an USB port, sucha as cell phones, personal digital assistants, MP3 players and small cameras.

The Power Purse is not yet available for purchase, but Hynek wants to eventually market it to environmentally conscious consumers, and hopes to keep the retail price under $300.

(Props to the Hippy Shopper and The Raw Feed.)

However, don’t put aside that less chic solar-powered backpack just yet.