Solio Solar Charger Product Review

The Solio H1000 is a universal charger for electronic devices that stores power, either from an electrical socket or from solar energy - a “hybrid” charger. I was sent one on loan for a 3 month trial on behalf of the manufacturers, Better Energy Systems.

As you can see I was sent a lovely orange one, but other colours are available. The Solio is dubbed a “hybrid” device because it accepts power from either a standard wall socket or the sun. Unlike standard chargers it uses no energy when plugged into a wall socket and not attached to a device (once charged of course).

It can store this energy within its internal battery for up to one year, and can be used any time for on-the-go charging of most portable electronics devices. It comes with several plug attachments, one for Nokia phones, a mini USB connection, and a female USB connector (see the photo for more details). It also comes with a USB connector to charge the Solio if you have not charged it from the sun. There is no wall socket adaptor when you buy it, this can be purchased for additional cost (probably to encourage you to use the solar panel), as well as an iPod connector, 12V car charger adaptor, Gameboy, Motorola adaptor and so on.

 

My testing with the Solio didn’t get off to a perfect start, I was unable to charge it from the sun, I had to charge it through the USB connection to my PC. I don’t know why, but leaving it in the sun initially had no effect - it did of course later on.

Despite the device being simple and having only one button and two lights (one red and one green) it was at first a little confusing to wonder what all the light flashes meant. The instruction manual is in pictures rather than words which helps transcend the language barrier but doesn’t particularly help with other aspects of its operation. After the first use though it all became clear.

The device itself comes in several colours, and as you can see from the pictures it has a clip for attaching to backpacks etc, which came in handy once on a walk and in a coffee shop when my mp3 player battery died. It’s also a great conversation piece! Talking of mp3 players, I’ve tested it on two, an iRiver S10 and a Creative Zen:M.

The iRiver charged perfectly as you can see from the picture and the video above, I just used the female USB to connect this up. The Zen did not seem to charge up (via the mini USB), however it seemed to accept this as if it was a wall socket connection, and essentially powered the Zen during operation rather than charging the battery. In a way it achieved the same goal - using the device - however in this case I had to have to Solio connected if I wanted to use the device, rather than charging it for a while and using it separately. Maybe it was just me, I’m not sure if this is usual or deliberate, but it wasn’t a problem.

Overall I think it’s a useful product, it survived a trip to Europe and back, the auto show in Detroit and once again proved handy in airports and train stations where all the sockets were taken up by laptop users. Currently you can get 10% off a Solio by visiting the Life Goggles Reviews and Shop page.

If you’ve used the Solio, or a similar device, why not leave a comment below or drop us a line and let us know your thoughts?

Carbon Neutral Web Hosting Is Here (With 10% Off)

A new web hosting company called Solar Energy Host is offering carbon-free web hosting. Based in Salt Spring Island in Canada and the first of its kind in the country, Solar Energy Host offers 100% carbon free web hosting that generates zero green house gas emissions.

It’s not carbon neutral but carbon free.

Company founder, Aaron Handford, said: “By using solar power to host the sites I saw an opportunity to make a difference in a real way. Instead of using the “carbon neutral” system where companies purchase carbon credits to offset their green house gas emissions, we offer a cleaner solution – websites powered by solar energy – nothing comes from the grid, it’s carbon-free.”

It’s a good idea as I often think trying to be environmentally friendly is at odds with the fact I’m using a computer to write about it on.

Some more details below, please let us know if you’ve had experience of using it. At the moment if you sign up with the code ’solarrules’ you’ll get 10% off.

What makes it possible is a state-of-the art server that is part of the only solar powered professional web server system in the world. The servers and technology are based in California where solar powered solutions are cropping up in dramatic fashion. A Salt Spring Island based company; Solar Energy Host presents a great hosting solution – and another way to make a difference in the fight to stop global warming. For more information please visit: www.solarenergyhost.com

Firebox Goes Green This Christmas

I’m a fool for gadgets as much as the next man, but they’re often not eco-friendly. So it was a nice surprise to find an email in my inbox from Firebox.com. touting it’s green products. While I’m by no stretch of the imagination calling them a green company, they do have some great little products and you get a little bag of sweets with every order. Lovely.

Counting the cost
The Wattson is a funky electricity monitor for your home. Not only does it tell you how much energy your house is using, it does so in funky colours and ambient light. Bit of a blow to the pocket though at £149.99 and it uses around 4 watts itself so you’ll need to switch something else off to use it up.

 

Every woman loves a bag
Much better for lower budgets are the recycled juice bags. There are two versions at £14.99 and £9.99 and are made by a women’s cooperative in the Philippines as well.

Winter sun
The Freeloader solar charger stores energy for up to three months so you can even use it at night for a mobile phone/PDA?PSP type emergency. Agian not cheap at £29.99 but comes in pink as well as silver, lovely.

 

Christmas drinking
Recycled beer goblets have been around for ages, I’ve had mine for about 4 years. They look good and make a great present and are reasonably priced at £12.95.

 

Muggy
A global warming mug. Nice idea but I always think of the energy used to make it. But could be a handy present for someone at work. It’s £6.95.

To find all this lovely stuff click here.

Solar Vending Machines

Vending machines can be found just about everywhere, except, maybe, where they’re needed most - tucked away on a remote beach or at the end of a gruelling golf-course hole. An Anglo-Spanish firm has come up with a solution: an off-the-grid, solar-powered vending machine that can be placed anywhere there’s adequate sunlight. In the process, Solar Energy Vending (SEV) has greatly expanded the locations that can be served by an industry that matured decades ago.

A big challenge for SEV was developing a refrigeration system strong enough to keep the machine’s food and drinks cool, while powered solely by the sun. Solar panels on top keep the machine’s refrigerator running, and a rechargeable battery provides power at night or during prolonged cloudy periods. A wind turbine can substitute for solar cells in less sunny climes, where hot beverages could make the vending dispensers a popular stop-off along ski runs.

The company has been working on the concept since 2004. Machines have been placed at locations throughout Spain and on at least one golf course in the UK. Besides revenue from sales of food and drinks, the machines are also equipped to display advertising. SEV’s website touts what could be another major enticement for machine purchasers, at least in Europe, saying EEC regulations waive income taxes on profits from the machines since they rely on renewable energy.

SEV’s vending machines join a growing number of devices, such as road signs and emergency phones, that can be placed just about anywhere, thanks to their reliance on solar energy.

[Via Springwise]

Envrionmentally Friendly Coffee

Coffee addicts who want to start their day on an ecologically friendly note may want to fill their mugs with Solar Roast Coffee - a fresh new brew for java lovers that is roasted using clean abundant solar energy.

Based in Pueblo, Colorado, Solar Roast Coffee uses only 100% organic or fair trade coffee beans. Their special solar-powered roasting technique ensures the least impact on the environment. Not just a regular roaster powered by solar panels, Solar Roast’s Helios 2.0 catches rays of sunshine directly on a drum roaster filled with beans. The roaster is capable of reaching temperatures upwards of 550 degrees Fahrenheit, and swivels and tilts allowing it to track the sun throughout the day. No fossil fuels are burned to heat the beans, and no electric connection is needed to power the roaster’s fans and motors. The result? Likely the most earth-friendly coffee available on the market.

The first Solar Roast Cafe opened in Pueblo early this year, and the company already has plans to open more locations in the western U.S, and also operates an online store. Coffees begin around $12 per pound.

[Via Springwise]

Google’s Solar Panel Project

Last year Google launched the Google Solar Panel Project and they now provide stats on how much energy the panels have produced in the last 24 hours. It’s an interesting page that’s worth a look.

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