SolarStrap: Charge Your Gadgets While Traveling

When you are on the go, it gets really problematic to charge your gadgets. Sure, you can find plugs to power up some of the easily enough, but it's not always possible. At some point, you will run out of juice and that is problem for a lot of people. There are many solutions to keeping the power flowing, but none are as elegant as this one.

The SolarStrap is a thin and lightweight solar panel on a wearable badge. It's very portable and flexible. It's made in Finland by Suntrica and weighs about 2 ounces. It's easy to put the SolarStrap on any bag, backpack or shirt thanks to a folding tab. It stores solar energy in a small battery, than can be used to charge up your cellphone, iPod or any other gadget. It retails for about $40.

We think that this is a great way to start using solar power when you are in a pinch. Unless solar clothing becomes feasible, solar panels like these can easily be used to soak up sun rays and dispense them at your leisure. There are a few bags out there that can store solar energy, but this SolarStrap is really convenient and small, making it perfect to get some extra juice when you are in a bind. [via DVice]

Comments (4)

Every time I see one of these devices, I'm amused by the fact that they don't tell you how long it's going to take to charge your phone using it.

Hint: It's probably a really long time.

posted by moofie on July 22nd 2009 at 10:37pm
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The electrical component of the unit has battery capacity of 3.7Wh/980mAh. We charged the battery of the SolarStrap for an entire day against a clear blue sky's sun, and let a Nokia N95 unit's battery (950mAh capacity) drain completely. The result showed that the SolarStrap was not able to fully charge the device, which only achieved 5 out 7 bars, and it did the charge at a slow pace.

From here. I couldn't find anything more on its capacities.

It's mentioned that the device can be fast charged using a USB plug, but that kind of defeats the purpose.

posted by range on July 22nd 2009 at 11:46pm
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Will this work in Europe? Doesn't the sun provide a different voltage over there?

posted by carter76 on July 23rd 2009 at 9:29am
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@carter76 : I was wondering the same thing. Why does everything center around the US. There are other countries, you know!

posted by marcelebrate on July 23rd 2009 at 11:52pm
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