For countless years humankind has longed to harness the power of the sun. Thanks to green being the new buzzword and given that we’re carrying more personal devices than ever before, gathering, storing and using solar power on a small, personal scale is now a reality. We got our hands on a couple of entries from the major players in this niche market, the Voltaic backpack embedded with a solar panel array at the back and the original Solio with its three solar panels that fan out from the teardrop-shaped device.

Both personal solar chargers can not only directly charge devices using the power of the sun, they can also store a small amount of energy in their on-board batteries for later use. This is perfect if you’re out and about most of the day and wish to charge up your devices at night, such as when camping, biking or hiking or just running around doing errands in the city. Each has its own unique benefits and detriments but, all tolled, both are quite effective at doing what they’re designed to do; harvesting energy from the sun to keep your gadgets off the grid and to give them a boost when they need it the most.

Solio - $100
www.solio.com

Package includes:
USB port replicator tip
Mini-USB tip
Nokia tip
Sony Ericsson tip
Samsung tip
LG tip
USB charging cable
Window suction cup

The Solio’s three panels fan out windmill-style, making the 121 x 60 x 35mm (WxHxD, closed dimensions) charger easy to pack up and carry along. The Solio can be charged from the wall or a USB port and promises a full charge in six hours. Charging a device whose express purpose is charging other devices seems to defeat the purpose somewhat, though it could be useful when you want to carry a full charge before heading out on a camping trip, for example. Solio promises a full charge in eight to 10 hours in direct sunlight. Charging via USB with the included cable takes a few hours, either from an available USB port on a PC or laptop or using a USB wall charger (not included).

The device has a small hole that can fit a standard pencil to prop the leaves up when on the ground, perfect for leaving the Solio at base camp while out hiking or exploring. This hole can also be used to tie the Solio on to a backpack, hook on to a tent pole or hang from a tree. The retail package also includes a small suction cup that fits snugly into the hole so the Solio can be stuck on to a car, home or office window that’s getting sunlight. We had trouble getting the Solio to charge through the window of the office despite the fact that it was in direct sunlight, perhaps due to some kind of coating on the glass. At home, charging in the window wasn’t a problem.

In the package are a series of adaptor tips for popular makes and models of cell phones and other devices. Other tips can be purchased from the Solio site for about $10 each.
A small rubber cover seals off two ports; one for power in and one for power out. A mini-jack sized adaptor cable plugs in to the Solio and accepts adaptor tips which in turn connect to the device being charged.

A small button on the back of the Solio sends the juice to the device that’s plugged in and using LEDs within the translucent button, fills users in on its status. Red means it’s collecting the sun’s rays (or charging via USB) and storing the energy. When pressed, the LED flashes green to give a gauge on how much power is available. One flash means 25 per cent and four means fully charged.
In our tests, the Solio charged up fully after a full day in the light streaming through a skylight, getting direct sunlight for much of the afternoon.

Once the internal battery was full, it charged a BlackBerry 8800 battery (RIM model number C-S2) once fully in about three hours. After charging, the LED indicator light on the Solio showed 25 per cent or less of its charge remaining. It couldn’t manage another partial charge; while the charging lamp on the BlackBerry did light for a little while, upon turning it on again, it displayed a “battery drained, shutting down” notification.

Next: Voltaic Daypack

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