4 Gadgets Anyone Can Use to Start Going Solar
Indeed not everyone is able to purchase their own solar panels for various different reasons, such as expenses or residential complications. Besides that, making the switch to solar is something that many people are still skeptical about because of its secondary status when compared to the mainstream fossil fuel energy market.
Instead of jumping right into the solar energy market, it might be a good idea to try out some solar-powered devices to get a feel for solar power. Thus, in this article I want to introduce you to four different gadgets that harness solar energy to function and tackle certain everyday tasks.
1. Tactical Solar Flashlight
Tactical flashlights are not a new concept, being advertised frequently and offering quite a few functionalities. However, the idea of a solar tactical flashlight is not quite as common.
Nowadays, solar flashlights are quite easy to find online. For example, a popular solar flashlight that can be found on Amazon is the Delxo Patriot Flashlight, at a price of around $23.
Using a built-in battery to store collected solar energy, these flashlights that can last up to 7 hours are both water-resistant and shock-proof, and offer quite impressive distances over 200 meters.
2. Solar Security Camera
Whether you own a business or want to secure your home, security cameras are a popular method of doing so. Being able to analyze your environment using a “third eye” is a great way to ensure you are not missing any possible threats or warning signs that could be potentially endangering if not addressed.
The idea of solar security cameras is a self-explanatory concept, simply using solar energy to function, and ultimately providing a high definition daytime video recording as well 24 hour footage. Using a built-in battery to store energy that has been generated via its built-in solar PV cells, it is self-sufficient and offers motion detection alert systems as well.
These can be found online or at retail stores, with a popular solar security camera on Amazon being the SOLIOM Wireless Solar Security Camera, at a cost of $119.
3. Solar-Powered Speaker
Solar-powered portable speakers are not a new concept, but they are always being improved, as well as becoming more affordable.
These speakers offer both great sound, and multiple different functionalities, including phone charging capabilities and a radio option. As with the other gadgets that have already been discussed, a built-in battery stores energy generated from its solar cells.
A long-lasting and high-performance solar-powered bluetooth speaker that can be found online is the ABFOCE Solar Speaker, which has up to 60 hours of battery life. These speakers can easily be found online for a typical price range of between $30 and $100.
4. Portable Solar Phone Charger
Solar phone chargers are becoming more of a trend nowadays as everyone continues to cling more and more to their phone everyday, and they are quite cheap as well. However, beyond the small and quite weak solar-powered phone chargers typically found on Amazon or in the camping aisle at Walmart, there is a unique instrument that has been developed by a company called Grouphug Solar, which mounts to any window, and can easily charge your phone while also providing a pleasing aesthetic to your room.
This phone charger can charge your devices rather than using a wall outlet, with it being much more powerful than the typical solar chargers on the market. This increase in power does come at a price, costing about $130 before tax.
Though expensive, this price is well worth it if used to charge your devices instead of using wall outlets entirely, as it can contribute to saving money on your electric bill as a result of not using your outlets as much, and instead using the free energy provide from our great sun!
References:
[1] https://www.cnet.com/home/security/this-solar-powered-wireless-outdoor-security-camera-is-just-89/
[3] https://www.lifewire.com/best-solar-powered-gadgets-5113153
