iPod touch New model idea

I think that's an efficient idea, but how often is your phone sitting in direct sunlight? It's probably not a very good idea to bake your phone for extended periods of time. I just don't think it would catch on.

I don't think this would be practical since:

1) You'd have to keep the iPhone out (not in pockets/bags) to use solar.

2) Prolonged exposure to the sun would cause heating issues and degrade the battery life.

3) The surface area on the iPhone wouldn't be big enough to provide enough power.

It would be better to have a bag or clothing that's more likely to be exposed to the sun and have a bigger surface area to collect power and then have an outlet built in to plug in devices (not just an iPhone)

I think these products are already out there or are currently being developed.

scrappledog said:

Good points. I hadn't really thought it through. A few years back I was following a company that manufactured solar bags that could help charge all sorts of devices. Has this caught on?

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Looks like there's some companies already selling them. I haven't seen any in person.

http://www.sakkuus.com/
http://www.voltaicsystems.com/

Courtesy of Google

The big problem with solar power at the moment is that I believe we can only actually use about 10% of the energy collected from the sun. In fact, it might even be less than that. The solar cells that we use just aren't efficient, and thus not worthwhile. Until we get more efficient solar cells, solar panels and such won't take off.

YodaEXE said:

The big problem with solar power at the moment is that I believe we can only actually use about 10% of the energy collected from the sun. In fact, it might even be less than that. The solar cells that we use just aren't efficient, and thus not worthwhile. Until we get more efficient solar cells, solar panels and such won't take off.

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Agreed.

I thought this recent article about solar cylinders (instead of panels) was interesting.

http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/21473/

I remember reading some time ago that Apple submitted a patent for there to be solar panels under a device's screen that would allow it to charge without adding bulk and other stuff.

Seems like a pretty good idea if it doesn't cost that much.

Master Debater said:

I remember reading some time ago that Apple submitted a patent for there to be solar panels under a device's screen that would allow it to charge without adding bulk and other stuff.

Seems like a pretty good idea if it doesn't cost that much.

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It would be interesting if they had light panels that would recycle the light output by the iPod display-- back into the battery.

perhaps solar adapters (attached at the dock or something) or iphone/pod cases that could effectively distribute the solar power and not harm it.

YodaEXE said:

The big problem with solar power at the moment is that I believe we can only actually use about 10% of the energy collected from the sun. In fact, it might even be less than that. The solar cells that we use just aren't efficient, and thus not worthwhile. Until we get more efficient solar cells, solar panels and such won't take off.

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Actually we're at about 40 percent now -- but I'm not sure how much of that technology has percolated down to consumer products.

I think i remember an apple patent that was published on MR a while ago, and they had the solar cells under the display of the glass, so the iphone/ touch would charge whenever it is in the sun

Or how about me walk about with solar panels on our heads, and a wire connection to the iPhone, then we'd be cool!


Or on your bag, genius!!