Solar cell phones for developing countries
In many areas of the globe there are no electrical transmission lines and limited means of communicating by telephone. Mobile phones are a great idea… except that it is difficult to recharge them. Some people walk for miles to reach a shopping center with electricity, and then pay a handsome fee for the privilege of charging up their cell phone.
Now, in Kenya, one company is working to change this reality. Safaricom Ltd. launched the first solar charged phone this year. The solar cell phone comes with both a standard electric charger and a solar panel that can recharge the device from exposure to UV light.
Its just one more example that solar power is changing the lives of people across the globe. From cooking to purifying water, solar can make a world of difference.
Personally, I think the $35 (3000 shillings) price point seems a bit steep, but solar cell phones at Safaricom retail outlets have been sold out, due to strong demand.
Solar phones are in high demand in Kenya, where less than 5% of the total population is connected to the grid. Yet about 50% of the population uses cell phones, representing one of the strongest markets in Africa. Until now, consumers that lack electricity would have to find other means of charging their phones, whether using bicycle generators, or paying hefty fees and waiting up to 24 hours for the return of their phone after recharging in a larger metropolis.
The Safaricom phone uses small, portable solar panels for recharging, which can also occur during talk time, provided the panels are exposed to UV light. As with other solar panel products, the battery can be charged even on cloudy days, provided the panels are exposed to filtered light.
At close to a month’s salary for many Kenyans, the Safaricom solar cell phone is not cheap. But, the convenience of easy recharging, and the time and money saved from not having to trek into villages and cities with electricity is probably worth every shilling!
Tags: eco friendly phones, mobile phones, safaricom, solar cell phones, solar charged phone, solar developing nations, solar powered cell phones
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