Something new from Nokero! The folks who create innovative solar devices.
July 30, 2012 2 Comments 
A couple of weeks ago we covered the Nokero Solar Powered Rechargeable “Ed” LED mini-light. (Link below) Nokero develops durable, easy to easy, rugged devices aimed at helping third world nations use solar power in place of Kerosene. They sells their innovative products here in the US at very reasonable prices to raise money and awareness for their work. Now the company has introduced their newest product, the RayCel Solar Mobile Phone Battery Charger. Use the RayCel to charge your cell phones and cameras with the power of the sun. Simply insert any 3.7 volt removable battery into the universal charging port, and using the sliding “+” and “-“ pins to line up with the + and – shown on your battery. (I didn’t recall that batteries had such markings, but all the batteries I checked, did have them.) I didn’t see how one battery charger could charge different sized 3.7 volt batteries, but the sping-loaded back plate adjusts to various lengths. Once the pins and the battery are in place, set the RayCel in direct sunlight. A red LED will come on to tell you your battery is being charged. It will turn green when the battery has full power. Note that this device can only charge devices with a removable battery. That lets out devices such as Apple iPhones, iPods, and some newer Nokia phones which have non-removable batteries. Nokero says the RayCel charges a 800mAh phone battery in as fast as 4 hour in bright sun. (But charging conditions vary according to weather, region and time of year.) The RayCel is made of durable, lightweight and UV-resistant ABS plastic. The solar panel is packaged in an EVA + PET lamination process to protect it from UV-degradation and water damage. The RayCel has very few parts – an important design feature on products made for this application, and a production decision that keeps the price as low as possible. $29 MSRP, 31% intro discount = $20.
http://www.nokero.com/products/RayCel-Solar-Mobile-Phone-Charger
Here’s the info on the ED light: (http://gizwizbiz.squarespace.com/?SSLogoutOk=true¤tPage=4)
See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/dgw1375
Reader Comments (2)
Many homeowners now prefer to use solar panels as a source for their energy as compared to using electricity or fossil fuels. The reason for this is that solar energy is a lot cleaner and cost effective as compared to the latter. Innovative devices that convert sunlight to electric power more efficiently and cost effectively than the current generation of solar cell technology are the objects of a global pursuit.
Storing solar power for distribution during the night creates a technical challenge for businesses trying to sell their solar electric energy. There are three primary ways to tackle the issue, all of which hail from very different corners of the scientific world. The conventional approach is to use chargeable battery banks to store electricity by day and release it at night, though newer methods also offer a viable alternative.