Soladec Device Charger – Not for Vampires (by Julie)

I don’t come from a long line of outdoor enthusiasts, in fact most folks that know me know that a day away from the comforts of home, you know like electricity and indoor plumbing, is a fate worse than death. It stands to reason that my daughter wants to camp more than anything in the world…

Thank heavens for the Soladec Charger, with its ability to charge over 3500 different electronic devices with nothing but the power of the sun, the Soladec Hybrid Solar Powered Charger by MiseMet is designed to provide free solar energy right out of the box, from the sky… to your electronics, no outlet required.

Perfect for frequent travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, or especially for emergency situations, the Soladec can be used anywhere, using only the sunlight! The company states that Soladec features some of the most technologically advanced components available today, including the latest generation high-efficiency monocrystalline photovoltaic 1.65W solar cell with tempered low-iron glass used to maximize light transmission and the key piece of the Soladec, the photovoltaic cell, is designed with the highest efficiency possible using today’s technology, allowing it capture far more power from Sunlight or any ambient lighting conditions, compared to other solar chargers available today.

Combined with an intelligent charging system, the Soladec can charge most GPS navigators, Smartphones, MP3 players, e-book readers, Bluetooth devices, or most electronic devices compatible with USB, including Apple, of course it requires the USB cable supplied by device manufacturer to do so.

So I have my laptop, wifi hotspot, smartphone and my sleeping bag… I guess I’m ready to camp…. you know it will probably rain, am I right? The Soladec Charger is available from amazon.com  for less than 90 bucks.

(Source:http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20120206/solodec-device-charger-vampires/#more-65112)

The upcoming Apple products will focus on mini integrated solar panels?

Upcoming products Apple could mount a mini- Solar Panel on the back or with an accessory Journal. The energy provided by our star would ensure a restoration in part of what is spent for the operation. The indiscretion comes from Taiwan, Again by Digitimes showing deep gorges of local manufacturing companies. That the 2012 is dedicated to the photovoltaic Cupertino?

The possibility is that Apple takes advantage of Patents deposited in 2009 for the use of solar panels for portable devices such as miniature iPad, IPhone or iPod touch: communicating with the battery, supplying a small percentage of energy.

However there is to throw some of water on the fire as Digitimes has expressed several times about the predictions that were later overturned by loud harsh reality, but this time it might take us: maybe not for a integrated directly into the device in the gadget accessories.

However, it seems unlikely that, in the case, you can see solar energy already employed with the fifth generation of Apple’s smartphone, the easier it relates to the sixth generation that should be out next year in 2012. Samsung has already presented his model of the solar Android.

(Source:http://coolestgadgetsandgizmos.com/2011/07/29/the-upcoming-apple-products-will-focus-on-mini-integrated-solar-panels/)

Eton raises a “Rukus” at CES (by Mark R)

Eton has produced a lot of solar-powered, energy efficient gadgets over the years, and so I had to stop by at CES to see what they had for 2012. I found that they were raising quite a ruckus with their Rukus.

The Rukus is the first portable Bluetooth sound system with a solar panel to wirelessly stream music from a compatible device. As you can see, it is made to be portable, and the speakers are pretty admirable, and they produce some pretty kickin’ noise.

What really sells the Rukus is its 40 square-inch solar panel that can harvest the sun’s energy, and it takes about six hours of direct sunlight for a full recharge. The Press release says that it “never runs out of power”, but that might be too much of a boast. It is very energy efficient, and can be charged via AC adapter. By the way, the Rukus has an integrated USB port so it can charge other devices.

Although you can’t see it very well in the photo, the Rukus has an E Ink SURF segmented display, which can display information without draining the onboard battery. The display can also be read in direct sunlight and at a 180-degree viewing angle.

The Rukus will be available someone in Q2 for about $149.95.

(Source: http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/category/solar-powered-gear/)

Solar-powered Kindle cover means you never have to plug it in again (by Sean Ludwig)

If you’ve ever wanted a Kindle that you never have to plug in, SolarFocus has the accessory for you with its solar-powered Kindle case.

Green tech has dominated the conversation around cars, but now it seems these eco-friendly trends are edging into mobile at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show, where SolarFocus is debuting its Kindle case. Taiwan-based SolarFocus has other solar-panel products that have USB ports, but its Kindle case might be the most interesting, specific device.

The solar-powered Kindle case fits only the fourth-generation Kindle, but it should be available for the Kindle Touch in the spring. The front part of the case features one long solar panel, which is a bit inelegant. On the inside, there is a pop-up light that can help you read at night or in low-lighting.

SolarFocus says its Kindle case will make the Kindle battery last three times the normal duration, which amounts to three months. But because you can charge solely off the solar charger, you could, in theory, never need to plug it into a wall or computer USB port again.

The SolarFocus solar-powered Kindle case is a 2012 International CES Innovations Design & Engineering Awards Honoree. The device will be available online starting Jan. 15 for $80.

(Source: http://venturebeat.com/2012/01/08/solarfocus-solar-powered-kindle-cover/)

Win-Solar Energy Bike by Chen Chun Tung

Win-Solar Energy Bike concept is an intelligent electronic bicycle that is specially designed in a compact manner and can convert various natural power sources into electric power when the user rides it. This bike will enhance the efficiency of using energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, gravity electric energy and human energy, by converting them into electric power and storing the accumulated power into a rechargeable battery. At the end of the day or when riding uphill, this useful bike will automatically switch to electric riding mode in order to assist the rider.

(Source: http://www.tuvie.com/win-solar-energy-bike-by-chen-chun-tung/)

Notre Dame researchers develop paint-on solar cells

Imagine if the next coat of paint you put on the outside of your home generates electricity from light-electricity that can be used to power the appliances and equipment on the inside. A team of researchers at the University of Notre Dame have made a major advance toward this vision by creating an inexpensive "solar paint" that uses semiconducting nanoparticles to produce energy.

 "We want to do something transformative, to move beyond current silicon-based solar technology," says Prashant Kamat, John A. Zahm Professor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry and an investigator in Notre Dame's Center for Nano Science and Technology (NDnano), who leads the research.

 "By incorporating power-producing nanoparticles, called quantum dots, into a spreadable compound, we've made a one-coat solar paint that can be applied to any conductive surface without special equipment."

 The team's search for the new material, described in the journal ACS Nano, centered on nano-sized particles of titanium dioxide, which were coated with either cadmium sulfide or cadmium selenide. The particles were then suspended in a water-alcohol mixture to create a paste.

 When the paste was brushed onto a transparent conducting material and exposed to light, it created electricity.

 "The best light-to-energy conversion efficiency we've reached so far is 1 percent, which is well behind the usual 10 to 15 percent efficiency of commercial silicon solar cells," explains Kamat.

 "But this paint can be made cheaply and in large quantities. If we can improve the efficiency somewhat, we may be able to make a real difference in meeting energy needs in the future."

 "That's why we've christened the new paint, Sun-Believable," he adds.

 Kamat and his team also plan to study ways to improve the stability of the new material.

 NDnano is one of the leading nanotechnology centers in the world. Its mission is to study and manipulate the properties of materials and devices, as well as their interfaces with living systems, at the nano-scale.

(Source: http://www.solardaily.com/reports/Notre_Dame_researchers_develop_paint_on_solar_cells_999.html)

South Africa’s Solar Power Potential

As the United Nations climate change conference rages on, quite literally, in Durban, South Africa, experts from COP17’s host city point to one alternative energy source that could help it mitigate its emissions: solar power.

According to Dick Berlijn, of Subsolar Energy, Durban has one of the highest and most stable solar radiation levels in the world. “The variable is around 3%. That means that on a good day, solar radiation in South Africa is 100% and 97% on bad days. These conditions are extraordinary,” MD for Pretoria-based Subsolar Energy toldIndustry Leaders magazine.

With so much solar radiation, Berlijn believes solar is better qualified to produce clean energy for South Africa than wind. Besides, South Africa also has plenty of space to build solar photovoltaic (PV) plants.

South Africa needs to start moving towards alternative energy as the country still relies heavily on coal for electric power (90%). The country is the 16th biggest emitter in the global ranking, having dumped 369,4 million tons of CO2 in the atmosphere in 2009.

SolarPlaza’s Solar Future South Africa convention which will take place in Johannesburg in January 2012 will be discussing the country’s solar potential and related topics such as job creation, Feed-in Tariffs and business opportunities.

Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.

(Source: http://blog.cleantechies.com/2011/12/02/south-africa%E2%80%99s-solar-power-potential/)