An inexpensive, easy to use, practical, every day solar USB system. For those of us not just preparing for the end of the world.
**** Updates - Please Read****
A note about pledges, as I've gotten emails from some people who are confused. What you see in the "Reward" box is what you get. Nothing more, nothing less. So when you pledge $55 you get just the 5W Solar Cell.
When you pledge $60 you get just a 10,000mAh Power Bank. Nothing more, nothing less.
I did it this way so that people could either order a USB Solar Cell with or without a Power Bank. I personally don't use a Power Bank for charging up my phone day to day, my window has ample sunlight. Though for camping I use a Power Bank as my power needs have changed.
Again, sorry about this confusion. I thought things were clear, but it seems as if I didn't lay things out well enough.
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Solar Power Simplified
Solar power doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, yet that is what the market keeps throwing on the general public. I've designed a very simple, low cost, easy to use fold out 5W Solar USB system. No frills or thrills, just the basic USB power output that everyone needs to charge up their gadgets.
Background
For the past two years I've been designing and selling DIY solar USB kits. Cute little things that fit into an Altoids tin. The problem that I kept running into is that my customers keep asking for more powerful charging setups. Hikers and campers wanted a system they could charge up during the day and then use at night, cyclists wanted a system that could keep their GPS units running all day long, and mission/relief groups wanted an inexpensive solar charger that worked with just about everything. This stretched the limit of what I could make by hand or put together in a kit. After working with some overseas manufacturers I came up with a simple solution that is not only easy to use, but insanely practical.
How It Works
The idea is simple. Put three small solar cells together in a nice enclosure that outputs to USB. Just unfold and plug in. A small package that is inexpensive and very useful.
Combined, the solar cells put out 5W, or about 1 Amp of power at about 5 Volts, that outputs directly to a standard USB port. No special dongle or adaptor needed, just plug in any device that has a USB port on it. How does that translate into the "real world"? At full sunlight you'll charge up an iPhone in around three hours.
We're also going to offer a bigger 7W setup that outputs about 5 Volts at around 1.5 Amps of power. Same idea, just bigger solar cells. This means you'll only have to wait a bit over two hours for your iPhone to be all charged up.
Lithium Power Bank
The biggest downside to solar is that you can't use it at night. You need some way to store the power. This is why I'm taking the insanely simple approach of pairing up the folding cell with some small lithium Power Banks. It's a smart battery on the go. Charge it up from the Folding Solar Cell, or any USB power source, and then just plug your gadget in.
The basic Power Bank features a 2600mAh battery, which is enough to get an iPhone 5 up to 90 - 95%. Charge it up via the micro USB port and then plug your gadget up via the standard USB port. The 2600mAh Power Bank also has a built in 1W LED, because having a flashlight around is just plain handy.
The 5600mAh power bank works the same way, only it's just a bit bigger and features a nice battery charge meter on the side. It too has a flashlight, but it's kind of wimpy.
The nice thing about the Power Bank is that you can use it independently of the Folding Solar Cell. Toss it in your backpack, packet, or purse for later use. It's small enough to take anywhere. (Like a plane flight or a long car ride?)
Urban Settings
Most people think of portable solar units as only being an "outdoors" tool, used only for those who are living off the grid. But this just isn't so. Think about how many items in your life run off USB or can run off USB. These days it's not just your gadgets.
Use a suction cup to stick it to your window and charge up a gadget. Plug in an AA-charger to charge up regular batteries from the sun, or the latest gaming device, or even a toy helicopter. Keep it in your car in case of an emergency situation (like a hurricane maybe?), or for when the kids need some power during a long drive.
Keep a Power Bank charged up for later use, or just keep one in a pocket.
Outdoors
Heaps of camping gear these days comes with an option to charge off USB. Lanterns, flashlights, headlamps, AA chargers, flex LED lights, camera batteries; all can be powered up as long as they take power from simple USB. Really, any gadget that charges up off of a lithium battery can be charged up from USB. Usually it's just as simple as matching up the correct type of plug.
Attach a Folding Solar Cell to a backpack, or hang it up in a tree, or off a tent. Simple power on the go. Hook a Folding Solar Cell to your backpack and let it charge up a Power Bank while you're hiking so that you have power when you when you reach camp for the night. Never worry about your GPS running out of power again.
Around The World
I've worked with several aid and mission groups who have been trying to get solar power into the hands of those without reliable sources of electricity. Such things as simple lighting, radio, cell phone, and GPS can help people in profound ways.
The Folding USB Solar Cell is ideal for these situations. It's small and easy to transport, it'll power anything USB quickly, and its cost allows groups to help larger groups of people. Even without a way to store power (like the Power Bank), the Folding USB Solar Cell can be used to power daytime indoor lighting.
Compatibility
If it runs off USB, it's going to run off one of these Folding USB Solar Cells. I designed the setup so that you have access to a standard female USB port. Charging a gadget up from one of the cells is no more difficult than charging up from a wall outlet or computer.
Plus USB has become the default plug and power source for small gadgets. Using USB allows these cells to be future proof to a certain degree. As long as gadgets in the future keep using USB, they'll keep working with these cells. Even if Apple keeps changing the connectors for their iDevices (like with the iPhone 5), one end will always be USB.
I've tried out the Folding USB Solar Cells and Power Banks on a wide variety of gadgets and devices. Apple devices such as iPods, iPads, and iPhone all play nice, as well as most other cell phones and Android devices. Smaller camping gadgets such as lanterns and flashlights all charge perfectly fine, and the Power Banks work very well with USB flex lights.
Tech Specs
7W Folding USB Solar Cell
- 5V at 1.49 Amp
- 24 inches by 7.5 inches
- 14.5 oz
- Standard USB Port
- Status LED
- Monocrystalline Solar Cells (3)
- Snaps and Grommets
- Black Canvas Fabric
Stretch Goal
If I raise $20,000 I'll go a bit wild and throw in a free flex USB Light for every pledge above $25. Which means anyone who gets a Cell or Power Bank. (Those of you who are pledging for an option that includes a USB Flex LED will get a second one.)
Risks and challenges
The Folding USB Solar Cells have been made, tested, and put into some real life situations. They perform well. I've been creating and making solar projects for two years now and I'm highly confident in my work. I've had years of camping and cycling, so I know for a fact that these solar cells are a great addition to the outdoorsman's gear. With that in mind there are few risks to this project.
The largest risk would be juggling everything. I'm still a full time teacher who is kind of stretched just running his own website. I've never had anything manufactured before, or done any sort of fund raising on my own. I'm not a business major (my father is somewhere thinking "I told you so" on that one), I don't have an MBA, and I'm very much entering into new territory.
However, these problems are kind of small. I'm using manufacturers that I've worked with in the past and have a good reputation and high levels of quality. I've successfully run my own small business on the side for two years thanks to help from family, friends, and the local community. As I'm not actually hand making each of these the biggest problem on my end will be shipping everything out. But I've got lots of boxes for that and a lot of tape.
I'm setting a very realistic goal of $5,000. Once I have the funds I'll be able to get the items manufactured and in my hands by mid to late June. More or less you'll be getting your rewards by the end of June.
(It breaks down like this. May 2nd is when this ends. Then 14 days for Kickstarter to release the money to me. Then 3 - 4 weeks to get the stuff made and to me. Then another 1-2 weeks to get it to everyone who pledged. Mid - June is a good estimate on my end.)
I'll be using Facebook, Twitter, my website, and Kickstarter to keep everyone informed of the progress.
