Solar chargers have taken the domestic ‘eco products’ market by storm, however do they actually work?
From a distance you might be forgiven for mistaking the true purpose of the depicted items, strapped onto a lone backpack reflecting the sunlight for no real purpose? However Solar Chargers could be set to be the next ‘must have’ item for those who just can’t be separated from their portable Ipods, mobiles and even computers. Best of all you can be comforted in the safe knowledge that these electrical products are all being powered in an environmentally friendly manner through the power our very own sun.
- 1. Freeloader Solar Charger
- 2. Freeloader Globetrotter (includes standard Freeloader as well as the supercharger)
- 3. Solio Solar Charger
- 4. Solar Gorilla (capable of charging laptop computers),
- 5. Powermonkey eXplorer
Possibly the most popular charger on the market comes Freeloaders portable charging system, hailed to be compatible with most portable devices. The product can be charged from a computer via a USB cable and in this light can be seen as a portable battery, supplying power when you most need it. At a whopping £139.99 the ‘Gorilla’ by Powermonkey is by far the most expensive charger however it must be questioned how far its performance outstrips cheaper models. The manufacturers hail that the device will warrant a laptop 2-5 hours of power with other devices receiving up to 20 hours [1]. Indeed it would appear that this is the only charger on the market able to power an energy intensive computer, something that may be invaluable to the everyday commuter or seasoned traveller. The Gorilla also boats a fully fledged LCD screen indicating settings chosen and voltage required as well as the ability to hook the device up to a mains socket (powertraveller.com). The company producing both the SolarGorrilla and Powermonkey (Power traveller) based in Hampshire is noted to be a provider of solar chargers to international aid and military agencies [2]. Indeed Powermonkey and Gorilla both get shining customer reviews from Amazon.co.uk with four and five starring reviews respectively.
It would appear that the time old saying of ‘you get what you pay for’ holds up with solar chargers, unfortunately the cheap ones just can’t cut it!
By way of example last year climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania I invested in a Freeloader solar charger with the view that listening to an Ipod frequently would motivate me to succeed. After five hours of the device strapped to my backpack, constantly subjected to a cloudless sky and all the intense African solar power of the mountain my Ipod still gained no extra battery life. If this was the case there (in what can only be regarded as perfect conditions) what chance does it have in the changing weather of the UK? Indeed almost half the reviews of the Freeloader on Amazon give a mere one star to the charger with customers suggesting the same problems experienced by myself. A relatively dark horse upon the market comes the Solio classic solar charger, the product hailed to ‘start the movement’. Features include its eye catching fan like design as well as the ability to work with over 3,200 devices and the ability to hold its charge for up to a year [3]. The product is reputed to power an everyday mobile phone as effectively as a standard mains charger however to build up power to do this will require exposure to 8-10 hours of sunlight [4].
Overall solar chargers do solve an everyday consumer need in an environmentally friendly manner. Not only is it practical and convenient to be ‘green’ with a solar charger but actually the idea is one that solves a commonplace problem, how to power the devices we have become to depend on without access to a mains socket. What must be cautioned is being tempted to go for the cheapest model, being that they do not always tend to work as they should. In the less than ‘sunny’ weather the UK experiences frequently a dependable device will be a must. Solar chargers really are a brilliant idea, if the technology and indeed popularity of these devices are improved we could well see a more affordable range of good quality solar chargers on the market in the near future.
View our entire range of solar powered chargers in our store.
[1] PowerGorrilla (2010), www.powertraveller.com
[2] Bridge, S (2008) Room to Grow if your Green. The Times, 07/10/2008
[3] Solio Classic (2010), www.solio.com
[4] Taylor, R. (2006) Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me The Guardian
