Solar Powered Mobile Phone Revealed

Chinese company ZTE has announced that they have developed a low-cost solar powered mobile phone that they hope can bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. This will be the first of its kind to be made available in the market. They plan to sell it in June for $40 or less.

ZTE, in partnership with network operator Digicel, will be launching the product in Samoa, Haiti and Papua New Guinea. They estimate that their sales will reach up to several hundred thousand. For the many people who have limited or no access to electricity at all, ZTE’s mobile phone will connected them to the rest of the world.

ZTE’s phone is called Coral 200 Solar. It utilizes Dutch technology that boosts the current from a single solar panel located at the back of the mobile. The solar panel measures 3 cm by 7 cm. An hour’s worth of charge is equal to 15 minutes of talk time. The phone can be charged by conventional power supply as well.

Digicel has stated that power interruptions are common in the places where they conduct their business. This is the reason why a solar-powered phone will be a hot commodity in those areas. The company is active in the Central American, Caribbean and Pacific regions. At present, they offer solar-powered chargers for their clients.

Solar-powered phones might also be a hit in some African countries. Charging stations, or booths, exist in that part of the world where people pay to plug in their phones because they don’t have electricity in their homes. ZTE is already talking with other network operators aside from Digicel that are interested in carrying the new phone.

Samsung unveiled their Blue Earth, another solar-powered mobile phone that features a small solar panel in the back. It is a high-end phone that’s targeting the green market in developed countries. The phone has already created a buzz during the Mobile World Congress which was held this week.

LG has also unveiled their solar-powered phone but it is yet to be named and is not yet ready for the market.

Mobile phones are just the start. The improvements in solar energy technology can lead to more consumer products powered by the sun. Gone are the days where solar power is used for calculators alone. Expect other electronic devices to feature mini solar panels in the future. You’ll never know when you’ll need a solar flashlight.