Suntrica’s flexible solar chargers

This past week the web was abound with two
wonderful images of the space shuttle Atlantis contrasted against the immensity
that we call the Sun. The photos were snapped by amateur photographer Thierry
Legault from his vantage in Vero
Beach, Florida. Legault used a solar-filtered 5-inch Takahashi refracting
telescope and a Canon 5D Mark II to capture the space craft in the 0.8 seconds
it took to cross in front of the sun. While this is all well and good, but the
sun can do a lot more than make them there purdy pictures. Like power the
gadgets that take those purdy pictures! (It’s like the chicken or the egg here
people). And solar technology has come a long way, as evidenced by Suntrica’s
SolarBadge and SolarBadgePro.

These ultra-portable patches use a flexible
solar film that makes for a versatile and exceedingly practical eco-energy
solution. Once the solar energy has been collected it’s stored in the internal
battery. The SolarBadge/Pro are both capable of immediately charging cell
phones, digital cameras and mp3 players or they can retain that energy in the
battery for later use. The battery itself is the main practical difference
between the regular and pro versions with the former clocking in at 3.7Wh and
the later at 7.3Wh. Both badges output at 5.5V DC at 800mA.

The badges themselves feature loop and hook
fasteners, making it a quick and easy matter to attach to your travel
gear. This also means its a snap to reposition when you or the sun has changed position. Plus the SolarBadge’s inherent flexibility mean that it’ll travel well and be better
able to withstand the elements encountered on your average hike. The ability to
pre-charge the battery via USB or household outlet make it ideal for
emergencies while you’re out trekking in the Arctic’s forty days of night.

Ultimately, the product leaves you asking;
why not flexible? And, for the time being at least, Suntrica’s happily the only
game in town.

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