Tag: Solar
DIY solar batteries *nearly* work
There’s something so wonderfully simple about this concept that I wish it would work better than it does. Ni-MH batteries that have a flexible photovoltaic cell wrapped around them, so that they recharge by just being left on a windowsill.
Unfortunately, the solar cells currently only charge the battery with a tiny, weak trickle, but if they were built into a proper unit, combined with capacitors and the electronics to up the efficiency of the energy conversion, then they could do considerably better.
On a related note, how many devices do you have that still use traditional batteries? Very few, I’d wager – perhaps just a TV remote and a set of portable speakers. Everything’s rechargable these days, and a jolly good thing too.
MWC 2009: Solio Communicator – a solar-powered hands-free kit
Tucked away amongst the smaller stands at MWC 2009, slightly crowded out by the Samsungs and Nokias of this world, is a little company called “Better Energy Systems”. They have a subsidiary called Solio, who make solar-powered kit for mobile phones.
You might have heard of them – a quick browse of Solio’s site suggests that Saol – a Masai Junior Elder from IIkinye Village in Kenya – is a power user, as is Ian Davis, from the Polar Challenge expedition. Best of all is the picture of President Barack Obama looking decidedly overwhlemed when being presented with his Solio Classic.
But this post is about the Solio Communicator, which by all accounts is a rather novel product. It’s a hands-free kit, but charges with solar power, so you just stick it to your car window and never think about the battery ever again.
If you live in some Arctic climes where you don’t get sun very much for half the year, then it’s also chargable off the cigarette lighter port, a USB port or a wall adaptor. It’s compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled phones, and will retail for €80 (£70ish). Available mid 2009.
Powergorilla and Solargorilla juice up your laptop on the move
Powergorilla is a brilliantly named product from Powertraveller. It’s basically a big ol’ battery, which you plug your laptop into, and it’ll charge your laptop’s onboard battery for you. A fully charged Powergorilla will give you two to six extra hours of laptop battery…
Making ice while the sun shines
This is quite nifty. A team of scientists from San Jose University have worked out a way to make ice with zero carbon footprint and no moving parts. There’s no electricity involved either. All you’ve got to do is keep the machine clean…
IFA 2008: Portable Solar Panels from Onlink
In the video above, Dan checks out a company called Onlink who have a great idea for a product – solar panels built into your laptop case. Their cases have two pockets – one for your laptop and one for two big solar panels that then attach to your laptop and help you charge while on the go…
Ikea to sell solar panels. Some assembly required?
IKEA must be feeling a bit guilty about cutting down all of those trees to manufacture flat-pack furniture, as they’re pouring €50m into ‘GreenTech’ projects and will be selling solar panels, water conservation and purification devices and “alternative light sources”…
Globe Trotter – solar power for your gadgets
Summer is approaching, which could mean some sun. And the opportunity to use it to power your gadgets with the Globe Trotter….
FreeLoader 8.0 – solar-powered gadget charger
Remember the sun? It’s due back in a couple of months. And when it does return, the FreeLoader 8.0 could save you some money.
Mini solar panel phone charm keeps your mobile charged whilst you gossip
This is a brilliant idea, and so much simpler than carting about a portable solar-charger. Sadly it’s only available in Japan though, meaning the rest of the world will have to continue guzzling electricity when charging our mobiles. What’s up Strap-Ya? Help out the rest of the world, won’t you?
Just charging the mini solar panel…
Taiwan greenies set for doorless solar car
Hybrid? Schmybrid! The future for eco-friendly motoring is solar power. Well, for those of us who don’t live in [insert name of comically-rainy local city, as appropriate] anyway. But what will future solar cars look like? This is the aim of the World Solar Challenge competition.
