Nokia Solar Powered Cell Phone

In fact, Nokia has been testing solar charging panels in its C1-02 devices in various settings around the world, from the Baltic Sea, to the plains in Africa and even deep in a Swedish forest.  What the cell phone manufacturer discovered was that the effectiveness of solar powered cell phones has less to do with location, than how they are used.  While solar panels are just being researched right now, you could possibly see a solar powered Nokia T-Mobile cell phone in the future, once the technology is perfected.

“Our test users proved beyond doubt that a low power mobile phone can stay functioning for long periods of time on solar energy. However, they also proved that your lifestyle and how you use a solar powered phone is as important as the environment, the weather and the time of year.”

The bottom line is that solar powered cell phones are more effective for people that use their phones infrequently and allow them to absorb sunlight over extended periods of time.  In addition, cell phones with solar panels may be most practical in sunny regions, particularly those in remote areas not reached by the grid.

Research and development continues.  As solar cells become more efficient in converting UV light to energy, we could soon see solar mobile phones that are practical for many uses in more and more areas of the world.

Solar Power Companies Provide Aid to Haiti (AP image/Gregory Bell)

Over the past two weeks since the devastating Haiti earthquake struck, cash and in-kind donations from all around the world have been pouring in to help Haiti.  Individuals, organizations, and corporations have generously opened their hearts and wallets to provide Haiti earthquake relief in many different ways.

Solar power companies, like many other businesses, are finding ways to use their technology to provide aid to Haiti.  It should come as no surprise that solar energy can make a significant difference to Haitians and relief workers, given the success of solar in developing countries around the world.  Solar energy is used to help cook food, and provide drinkable water, lighting and communication – all of which are desperately needed in Haiti.

Struggle for survival after the Haiti Earthquake (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Hats off to the following solar power companies that are doing so much to provide aid to Haiti:

• SolarWorld, based in Germany, and which manufacturers solar panels in the U.S., has donated solar power equipment and modules to generate solar power for ten water pumping stations in Haiti.
• Solar lighting manufacturer, Sol, has provided a number of solar-powered streetlights which help rescue/recovery workers continue efforts after nightfall.
• Solar powered cell phones have been donated by Intivation, a Dutch-based green tech company.  The 1,000 phones can help Haiti relief workers communicate with each other to coordinate efforts.
• Solar Ovens International is taking donations to provide solar ovens for Haitians. The company has partnered with Feed My Starving Children to deliver 270,000 meals to the country, along with a number of solar cookers so that affected people can prepare their own healthy meals without electricity.

If you want to help these solar power companies help the Haitians, please click on any of the links above where you can find more information on how to make a donation – which is probably tax deductible (check with your CPA or tax advisor).

Solar power-based assistance is critical in this situation.  The fact that neither power lines nor telephone poles are needed to provide some of the most basic needs to Haiti means that solar energy can also give rise to another key necessity that so many desperately need: Hope.

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!