With the Power of a Thousand Suns
By Karina | September 5, 2007
Last year around this time I went camping at the beach and left my new! pink! cell phone! plugged into an outlet in the bathhouse while I showered. And when I came out? the phone was GONE. it was terrible! sad! a real pain! I mean, not only did I have to get another cell phone and put all of my numbers into it, the whole situation resulted from my inability to charge my phone without, you know, being tethered to your standard electrical outlet.
So when I saw the Solio (by Better Energy Systems), I jumped at the chance to purchase two: one for me, and one for a friends birthday. I don’t know about him, but I LOVE mine!
The Solio is a really snazzy system of solar panels that are easily portable and very stylish. It consists of three wings shaped like a pinwheel. In full sun, it takes about 8 to 10 hours to fully charge the internal battery – from which you can charge a typical cell phone up to 2 times. It comes with a bunch of adapter tips and you can use it to charge your phone, digital camera, or ipod, among other things.
Last week I was back at the beach, Solio in hand. I was able to charge up my cell phone easily and was happy to avoid the bathhouse outlets. To phrase this as a tiny choice, I am so excited to quit using so much energy from the grid. If I can get that energy for free from the power of the sun, heck, why wouldn’t I?
I will say that I wish I didn’t work indoors so long. I try to keep the Solio charged but its a slow process when out of direct sunlight. I also don’t know the details about how the manufacturing process is transparent and eco-sound, but the makers of Solio DO say that they buy carbon offsets to make up for the carbon emitted during manufacture and are committed to recycling used Solios and to minimizing waste during the manufacture. The FAQs say that the batteries are recyclable and that one should contact Solio to dispose of them appropriately. I would love to have more tips, for example, a regular outlet so I can charge my digital camera or other rechargeable batteries while on the go. But all in all, I am a big Fan of the Solio! On top of all of the product bonuses, I had really stellar customer service when I was purchasing the Solios back in October. And above all, the Solio allows me, your average apartment dweller, to become a solar energy producer. And that is So Cool.
Additional Reading [the all treehugger version]:
- An interview with the vice president of Better Energy Systems.
- A review of the solio from backcountry backpacking in Patagonia.
Topics: General | 3 Comments »
I think that this is great the only downside is in the economy the way it is with gas prices and all, it is a little more difficult to spend extra money but if you have an extra hundred or so you are all set. I do think that i will eventually purchase one because chances are you could end up in a situation where you think well a hundred dollars is not too bad example being stranded on the side of the road with your phone dead and if the power is not working in your ac adaptor in your car hey you have the power of the sun to charge up your phone and perfect. Im sure there are many many other places where this would come in really good.
[...] having to buy a new one, but it’s not like no one would want my old one, so that’s ok. Also I really love Solio products! So I don’t mind supporting them!) or if I will be getting a solar charging iPhone case to [...]
I’ve been using the solio for travel purposes and I must say I have never had a product which is as easy to use, effective and reliable as this charger. I can recommend it to everyone who wants to keep their small appliances charged wherever they are