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We stopped reporting on solar battery chargers a while back. It just seemed to me like a sub-optimal use of solar technology. I mean, for the most part, the panel sits around doing nothing. And it's not like battery charging uses a really significant amount of the world's energy (though it's certainly growing.)
But for those of you who have your hearts set on charging your batteries with the sun, the big guns have just joined the game. Energizer, who employs a bunny that is, apparently, fusion powered, is debuting a solar battery charger at CES in January.
The device will power charge AA or AAA batteries, and has a USB port for charging cellphones and iPods and the like. The weather-proof design hints at it's true use, charging up while beyond the reach of civilization.
Because, really, what's the use of back country hiking if you can't watch youtube videos on your iPhone while you're out there.
Via GoodCleanTech
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written by Clinch, December 23, 2008
And although it doesn't produce much power, I'd still like to see the ability to plug this (and similar products) in to the mains, to give more renewable energy to the grid, when not charging batteries.
And the moment, I'm much more in favor of wind-up products, than solar-powered product (I had to use my wind-up-power torch 3 times last night, if it was solar powered, I would have been in trouble).
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written by BruceMcF, December 23, 2008
What it seems to be missing is a secure anchor point.
On the general energy saving question, you are likely ignoring the problem of vampire power. As much as we preach plugging AC/DC transformers into a power strip and turning it off when not in use, a lot of people are still going to leave them plugged in drawing power all the time, even when the device only draws power for a handful of hours each week.
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written by Clarke, December 23, 2008
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written by adam, December 24, 2008
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I'm upset that you see these things as not valid enough to warrant articles on solar or self-powered gadgets more often, and that you feel that the only market for solar-energy gadgets is that of youtube users and weekend hiking trips.
As a counterpoint, I find the predominance of luxury car coverage here frustrating, dull and in my mind detracting from the more useful articles that I initially came to appreciate this site for.