Dirty Greek - Solio: Solar iPod, Phone Charger

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Dirty Greek - Solio: Solar iPod, Phone Charger

Technology : Solio: Solar iPod, Phone Charger

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I'm a tree hugging hippy dork. However, I am also a walking contradiction, because as much as I love the environment, I also love my gadgets and gizmos and computers and the large amounts of power that they use. How can I reconcile my love for the environment with my love for gadgetry? Well, I can't 100%, but I sure can start trying with Better Energy Systems Solio Solar Charging System.

This baby will charge your iPod and many cellular phones, and you can get the optional female cigarette lighter extension so you can plug anything with a cigarette lighter plug into the solio for charging. Coming soon, according to their website, is even a mini USB connector to extend your options even further! It has a built in battery, so you can charge the Solio itself then plug your gadgets into it later to charge them from that. Also, if you really NEED to take your power on the go, the thing can be plugged into one of those old-fashioned wall sockets. Pretty cool. Imagine being able to take your iPod, digital camera, and cell phone with you anywhere you go and not have to worry about jacking into the grid to charge any of them!

To be even-handed, the Solio hasn't gotten all rave reviews. At least, not on the solar end of things. Pocket-Lint didn't love it. According to them, it took 6 days for the Solio to get a full charge and then 6 hours for the charge to transfer to the iPod. Of course, don't forget that they're based in the UK, which means they basically live under almost constant cloud cover and rain.

Extreme iPod's review says about the same - the battery is great when charged, but it's hard to charge the thing. Again, though, they mention that "a foggy San Francisco afternoon is probably not the optimal charging environment for any solar device." No, I'm sure it isn't. I'd think in a warm, temperate, often sunny climate like the South-Eastern US, you'd have a better shot.

The Mac Observer gives the Solio a pretty decent review as well. Their conclusion is that "the extremely picky may be excused for waiting for a new iteration of Solio to see if some of these issues get resolved, but for the road warrior weary with power outlet-searching, this is a killer product. It's one of those rare products that raises your expectations: Solio actually lets you do things you couldn't do before."

According to a great review of the Solio on TreeHugger.com, it takes about 5-7 hours of direct sunlight to keep the iPod charged. The Solio folds up so that you can stick it in your bag or pocket while it's not being used, and then unfolds to reveal the solar panels when you're ready to charge it. Also, don't think that these guys are just out to sell their product. Sure, they want to sell it, but they also seem to really be conscious of making environmental change through their business. From their website:

The design and engineering process is shaped by Better Energy Systems aim to reduce the effects of its products upon the environment, whilst at the same time achieving a positive impact upon the lifestyle habits of the consumer. A full toxicity analysis and energy assessment is carried out in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Institute, Berlin. This is part of Better Energy Systems give more than we take policy. Over its lifetime, Solio will ideally produce more energy than energy used in its construction. To help with this process trees have been planted in a bio-diverse sustainable forest to offset the carbon emitted during the Solio's production. The clever design of Solio also means that it can be easily dismantled and recycled when it reaches the end of its life.

Also, according to TreeHugger, The CO2 emissions from energy used to make your Solio have been offset through a treeplanting program, like GreenFleet. And the precious metals required for the circuitry were purposely not sourced from the African Congo due to unethical labour practices. Built with recycled and recyclable materials.

They sell them for $99 on the website, and some of the connectors are extra, but eXpansis has the charger for $60.

UPDATE, 3/10: I just ordered one. I'll give you a report.