Breakthrough technology is being showcased in South Africa: a solar charger that allows up to five hours of use with only one hour of charge. World Panel Inc. is launching a suite of handheld solar chargers at AfricaCom in Cape Town from November 12-14.
After arriving in sub-Saharan Africa in 2011 with a prototype for boiling water, World Panel CEO John Anderson realized that residents needed something else: a better way to keep phones charged. Independent tests performed on the chargers show that the most popular phones in Africa charge in an hour, which provides five to six hours of talk time. He said: “After an intense R&D and testing period, I am returning to Africa to launch a line of patented chargers that meets the requirements of those I interviewed: it is as fast as a wall plug, it will last, and the price is right. Income generation is possible also for both entrepreneurs and the telecoms since 10 phones can be charged in a day.”
A key feature of the new chargers is the patented ‘direct-from-the-sun’ technology that charges a phone as fast as a wall outlet and allows for a low price-point as well as remarkable durability. Utility-grade materials from the solar industry are used in the construction of the rugged devices so they can endure the harshest environmental conditions in the sub-Saharan. A full array of accessories including powerbanks, lights, and charge-on-the-go backpacks will also be on display. The chargers can power any USB device and can be linked together using our patent-pending PowerLink to double or triple the output.
By eliminating the charging costs associated with phone ownership in many areas, and allowing for fast and easy charging for up to 10 phones per day via free sun energy, operators can review programs that recoup the cost of the chargers within a few months. On-the-go charging can pave the way for more airtime purchases and smart phone use. World Panel will offer co-branding and bundling opportunities to those interested in adding mobile electricity to their line of subscriber services. GSMA states that charging solutions represent a $3.37-billion opportunity for the operators, and the UN’s energy initiative has published that African telecoms suffer a 20% revenue loss due to unreliable phone charging.
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