Solar Power Blog

www.SentientSolar.co.uk has recently been delighted to supply a registered charity with solar panel chargers. Engineers Without Borders teaches children in the Bristol area about sustainable energy through unique methods, and recently ordered several solar chargers to this end.

The solar powered panels will be used in a workshop in local schools, where a presentation is given about solar energy, and then the pupils are given the task of building a model solar car. They are given a list of components (such as CDs or milk tops for wheels) which all have a ’price’ and they are allowed to spend up to ’£100’ on components. Each group of 4/5 has an engineering undergraduate to help if necessary, but the emphasis is very much on the group, whose ages range from 12-18.

We are fascinated by the usage here of the solar powered chargers, as we don’t believe any of our solar chargers have been used in this way before. It’s an excellent way for the younger generation that we don’t have to be reliant on the power that comes out of our sockets, and there are natural resources that will do exactly what we need them to do if we harness them correctly.

Engineers Without Borders is a student led charity that utilises the engineering skills of it’s members to break down barriers and has made improvements not just in the UK, but around the world.

We just hope that the solar powered chargers supplied by SentientSolar go some small way to assisting with this worthwile charity.

Here’s a great demonstration video we found on Youtube of how a solar charger can charge an iPod/mobile phone charger etc. It can be powered via solar power, or via USB with your PC. If you’re relying on sunlight, it means you need never have to worry about your iPod of mobile phone running out of battery. Great for travelling, holidays etc, particularly abroad - you don’t even need a socket adapter, because you don’t need an electricity supply!

How solar panels are made. A bit cheesy presentation styel, but great at going back to the beginning and helping us understand how solar panels and solar chargers actually work.

Duration : 0:4:36

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Ok, so it’s only the end of October, but I know some people who start their Christmas shopping before Easter!

So here at Sentient Solar we’re delighted to release 12 solar gifts, solar gadgets, solar chargers and solar toys - one for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas (clever eh?).

We promise not to put the decorations up just yet, but we’ve got some really unusual gift ideas here, so it’s only fair that we share them with you!

So here’s a couple to get started with - we’ll keep updating the blog all week.

iPower SX portable solar charger for mobile devices - all mobile phones, iPods, MP3s and MP4 players - all in one:

‘Lightcup’ solar powered water bottle with LED lights - A water bottle that doubles up as a solar powered lantern – perfect for camping!

Q. Most solar mobile phone and iPod chargers that i’ve found are only compatible with Motorola or other expensive phones. I have a Sprint Sanyo mobile phone. And since I am interested in purchasing one, I would like it to work with my products. Also, I’m on a budget, but please leave me whatever suggestions you have. Thanks!

A. Battech’s stylish but durable iPower is the very latest solar charger to hit the UK market. It can charge Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung phones, all PSPs, iPods, iPhone, iTouch and more. This retails at £39.99. A cheaper alternative compact solar phone charger, compatible with most Nokia, Seimens, Motorola and Sony Ericsson mobile phones can be found here - this retails at £19.99, but won’t charger iPods.

Mobile phone charger:

iPower Solar USB & Phone Charger:

Over time we’ll be looking at the positive ecological effect of using solar chargers rather than conventional energy sources. Here is an example of a question we found on the net with regards to this:

Q. How much will I save pollutionwise each time I charge my cellphone?

A. You are doing the right thing to protect our environment! I suppose your solar charger peak output is 10watt? Let’s say you charge every other day ,then you save 10*360/2=1800watt one year!

It all helps!