Sun power is being used in all sorts of interesting, novel and useful ways. My favorite gadgets now include the following…
Cell-phone charger. The Solio Classic Hybrid Solar Charger can charge most electronic handheld devices, including cell phones and digital music players. It’s portable and can fit in a handbag or briefcase. One hour of direct sunlight produces about 20 minutes of talk time on your cell phone and one hour of music time. It takes eight to 10 hours to fully charge the Solio — after which you can use it to fully recharge most phones or music players twice. Adapters included.
Price: $95 to $100.* 877-282-6400, www.greenhome.com or 800-653-4099, www.solio.com/charger.
Weather-band radio. Just 30 seconds in direct sunlight charges the Freeplay EyeMax Weather Radio, a compact AM/FM radio and flashlight, with enough power to play the radio or use the flashlight for 35 minutes. Fully charged, it can run for as long as 25 hours.
Price: $60. 877-282-6400, www.greenhome.com.
Charger backpack. This bag has waterproof, scratch-resistant solar panels embedded on the outside. An hour of sunlight will power a cell phone for 1.5 hours of talk time or a music player for three hours. You can charge electronic handheld devices while you’re on the move. Powerful enough to charge a laptop computer.
Price: $200. 877-304-6861, www.voltaicsystems.com.
Outdoor oven. This small, easy-to-assemble solar oven uses reflective mirrorlike surfaces to concentrate heat radiation inside and will heat to 350°F. (It takes two to three hours to reach that temperature.) Cook time approximates a home oven’s.
Price: $60. 800-728-6999, www.scientificsonline.com.
Toy car/boat. The Amphibious Solar Vehicle Kit makes a small solar-powered toy car/boat that works on water and land. Photo cells can be powered by sunlight, a strong flashlight or AA battery (not included). Great fun for ages 10 to adult.
Price: $43. 800-951-0632, www.livesciencestore.com.
*All prices in this article are manufacturers’ suggested retail.
