With solar energy being the talk of the town in recent decades, it is inevitable that scientific advancements will lead to the innovation of solar-powered cell phones. This isn’t some intangible idea that might come true in the distant future, but a technological marvel that is already available in today’s market.
Recent advances in solar cell phones technology along with growing viability of solar as a renewable energy source have brought solar-powered phones and chargers closer to the mainstream.
The portable solar charger market, valued at US$ 3.64 billion in 2022, is expected to experience significant growth. Market research suggests a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% from 2023 to 2029, reaching a projected market size of nearly US$ 13.83 billion by 2029.
While still facing barriers to widespread adoption, progress on solar phones and accessories continues to accelerate thanks to engineering breakthroughs that allow embedding of solar cells into devices – leading many to ask if solar-powered mobiles are poised to become the next big thing.
Do solar phones exist?
Yes, solar phones do exist but are not yet mainstream. They have been around since 2009, created by Samsung — called the Samsung Blue Earth. However, it was ahead of its time and not a commercial success.
From then on, other companies tried their hand at creating solar-powered phones, with each iteration improving on its predecessor.
What are solar phones?
Solar phones have mini solar panels or photovoltaic cells built into the screen or phone body. These cells convert sunlight into electricity to charge the phone’s battery.
When exposed to the sun’s rays, the solar panel absorbs solar energy and converts it into electrical energy to charge your phone.
It is an alternative to the conventional method of using electricity to power your phones, as electricity can be expensive and not always available.
Do solar-powered phone chargers work? Yes, solar powered phone chargers will charge your cell phone, but they typically take longer and only work in strong sunlight.
There are two ways to incorporate solar energy to charge a cellphone: an internal solar cell in the cellphone’s backplate and an external solar-powered phone charger.
What companies make solar phones?
Some companies working on solar phone technology include Logitech, Yolk, Chargemaster, and Sunpartner Technologies. These startup companies are developing solar panels that can be embedded in screens for phones and other devices. Here are some popular solar phones available in the market:
Samsung
Samsung Guru E1107 Crest Solar
The Samsung Guru E1107 is a solar-powered mobile phone intended to cater to the residents of rural India who frequently experience power outages. The phone has a solar panel integrated into its backplate. When exposed to an hour of sunlight, approximately 5 to 10 minutes of call time can be made.
Samsung S7550 Blue Earth
Made in 2009, this touchscreen phone was Samsung’s answer to environmental issues affecting our world. Its body was made entirely from recycled materials and the backplate had a solar panel. An hour of charging via solar panels could net an additional 10 minutes of call time.
LG
Solar Case for LG GD510
LG took a slightly different approach in 2010 by designing a phone case with a built-in solar panel. This eco-friendly solar-charging mobile phone was the first of its kind but was quite pricey for its time. However, it would have been a long-term money saver overall.
Are solar phones feasible?
Solar phones are technically feasible with recent advances in solar cell efficiency, transparency, and integration into screens. The main challenge is providing enough solar charging capacity without compromising the screen quality or experience. The small surface area limits how much solar-powered solar powered banks for phones can absorb.
That said, solar phones are not yet practical and need further development to reach the same standard as the average smartphone.
However experts predict more solar phones to emerge as the technology improves.
Efficiency improvements in solar cell technology will help make solar phones more viable and practical.
And it wouldn’t be surprising to see this happening in the near future.
How long can solar phones last?
When considering a product’s pros and cons, buyers tend to look at its overall lifespan to see if the purchase is worth every penny. The lifespan of a solar phone depends on two factors; the solar cell and the phone itself. The good news is that solar cells can last as long as 25 to 30 years. Thus, the phone’s hardware tends to break down first, far before the solar cells do.
Are solar phones safe?
Since the conception of solar-powered phones, overheating issues have been a common occurrence with the product. Leaving the phone in high-temperature places could cause the phone to break down and in the worst-case scenario, combust and explode. Like many other electrical appliances, faulty hardware could also lead to an electrical shock. With all this taken into account, solar phones do not match the safety standards of other smartphones in the market and aren’t yet safe for consumer use.
How much does a solar-powered phone cost?
As of 2023, solar mobile phones are still quite expensive. This luxury is mainly adopted by higher-income people, as with most new technology.
For example, the price of the Tesla Caviar iPhone varies depending on the model.
The cheapest model, the Tesla Electro iPhone 13 Pro starts at $6,760. The most expensive model, the Tesla Electro iPhone 13 Pro Max with 24-karat gold, costs $8,380.
However, given time, solar technology will soon be more and more available to the average Joe.
The 4 most creative solar-powered mobile devices
The efforts to make eco-friendly solar phones have led to numerous innovations and creative, out-of-the-box strategies to overcome its shortcomings.
See-through solar films
In recent years, scientists have created fully transparent solar cells via the combination of titanium oxide and nickel oxide. These solar cells are thin and can be overlayed onto the touchscreen of any smartphone. They enable passive charging and will help with electrical costs in the long haul.
Transparent luminescent solar concentrators
Transparent luminescent solar concentrators or TLSCs are the cutting edge of solar technology, especially when paired with solar cells. The translucent material absorbs, concentrates and emits ultraviolet light to the solar cells that then proceed to convert it to electrical energy.
Solar sheets
Solar panels for cell phones can be somewhat large and cumbersome, restricting their application on smartphones. This is where solar sheets come in. These sheets are as thin and malleable as paper. Its lightweight, membrane-like properties allow for the same efficiency as traditional solar panels but with the added benefit of being able to work on smaller devices.
Caviar’s iPhone X Tesla
The iPhone X Tesla comes with a phone case with built-in solar cells that charges up an additional battery when exposed to sunlight. Caviar’s design has garnered popularity among Apple fans. The success of the iPhone X Tesla shows that there is a market for solar phones and will no doubt open the door for more smartphone brands to incorporate green solar energy in the design of their phones.
How Solar Phone Chargers Work?
Solar phone chargers use solar panels, made up of many solar cells, to capture the sun’s light and convert it into electricity. These solar cells act like miniature light traps, using a scientific process called the photovoltaic effect to generate electricity.
The electricity produced might not be exactly what your phone needs. That’s why some chargers have a voltage regulator, ensuring the power matches your phone’s battery perfectly. Some chargers even come with a built-in battery pack, essentially a mini solar power bank. This lets you store the sun’s energy and charge your phone later, even on cloudy days.
Finally, the charger connects to your phone with a USB cable. This transfers the electricity directly to your phone’s battery, topping it up and keeping you connected.
In simpler terms, solar phone chargers use sunlight to create electricity that charges your phone’s battery. They’re a great way to stay powered up on the go, especially if you’re eco-conscious!
What are the benefits of solar chargers?
It is evident that the design of solar phones has multiple drawbacks which impede its mainstream success. Further technological advancements are required before it is ready to be marketed to a wider audience.
An alternative to solar phones are solar phone chargers. Instead of being augmented into the phone’s hardware, solar chargers function similarly to electric phone chargers. It’s an external device that uses sunlight to charge your phone’s battery. Here are a few benefits of solar chargers:
- Solar-powered phone chargers are comfortable and accessible. For most of the day, you have immediate access to your main source of energy, the sun.
- Not limited to the size and hardware of your smartphone.
- Solar chargers are also very safe. They operate with 12 volts of electricity, and this low voltage significantly reduces the likelihood of getting electrocuted.
- They also come with the added benefit of long-term cost-effectiveness, cumulatively saving your money from electric charging.
- Renewable and sustainable – Uses only sunlight, producing no greenhouse gases.
- Reduces dependence on the electrical grid.
- Can charge devices directly, no need for batteries.
- Charges devices anytime it’s sunny, regardless of location.
- Portable for charging on the go, ideal for travel and outdoor use.
What are the disadvantages of solar chargers?
While there are many benefits, there are some disadvantages to consider too:
- Solar chargers are incredibly slow compared to conventional electric chargers. It’s more likely that you would use it in an emergency.
- It is highly weather-dependent. Cloudy and rainy days will cut off energy supply.
- Limited power output based on small surface area of solar panels
- More expensive upfront cost than generic chargers.
- Durability issues in some models.
- Solar panels can get dirty, blocking sunlight absorption.
How many solar panels does it take to charge a phone?
An iPhone 12 battery holds 10.78-Watt-hours (Wh). Most solar chargers for cell phones have a minimum 10W power output. Therefore, only one 10W solar panel is needed in order to charge the iPhone 12 to its full capacity in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Does solar power damage phone batteries?
Solar energy won’t directly harm your phone’s battery life. It functions similarly to how you charge your phone with a regular wall charger, delivering a controlled amount of current. However, it’s important to be mindful of excessive heat.
While direct sunlight is how solar chargers work, extreme temperatures can be detrimental to any phone battery, so avoid leaving your phone and charger in direct sunlight for extended periods.
Where to get solar phone chargers?
There are many types of solar phone chargers available on online stores such as Amazon.
Some places to get solar chargers for phones and other small devices include:
- Online retailers like Amazon.
- Consumer electronics and phone accessory stores.
- Outdoor gear and camping supply retailers.
- Direct from solar charging companies like Anker, Nekteck, Hiluckey, and X-Dragon.
Types of solar phone chargers
Here are a few notable examples of solar chargers available in the market:
Solar charger power banks
A solar battery charger for cell phones is essentially the same as the everyday power bank you use to charge up any electronic device. The only difference is that these power banks have the option of utilizing solar energy for charging. Armed with solar cells, these solar battery banks convert the sun’s rays into electrical energy which is stored in its internal battery pack for later use. These are a few great choices based on functionality:
- BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank ($49.99)
- Anker PowerCore Solar 20000 ($45.99)
Are solar power banks worth it?
Solar power banks are a tempting option for travellers. They tick all the right boxes: convenient, portable, and eco-friendly. Unlike regular power banks, they can be recharged using the power of the sun, reducing your reliance on outlets and your environmental footprint. However, it’s important to have realistic expectations about their charging capabilities before you invest in one.
Foldable solar chargers
Foldable solar chargers have a large surface area lined with solar cells, enabling the capture and conversion of more solar energy to electrical energy.
This results in large power output and faster-charging speeds. However, do take note that these solar chargers are unable to store electrical energy, unlike solar power banks. Examples of foldable solar panels that are worth the purchase are:
- Anker 21W Dual USB Solar Charger ($70)
- BigBlue 3 Solar Charger ($106-$73)
Solar charging kits
The kit comes with a solar charger power bank and a foldable solar charger that can charge your smartphone up to two to three times. One of the best choices for solar charging kits is the:
- Venture 35 solar charging kit with Nomad 10 solar panel ($150)
DIY solar phone charger
Did you know that you can assemble your own solar phone charger?
Following are some components that you will need:
- Small solar panel or cells (0.5W to 5W output)
- Charge controller or regulator circuit
- Battery pack or supercapacitor (to store solar energy)
- USB adapter cable (to connect phone)
- Tools: soldering iron, wire, adhesives, housing
First, remove the charging circuit from the power bank. Mount the charging circuit onto the solar panel, ensure the end of the USB port is accessible. Then, solder the wires of the charging circuit to the solar panel. Adding additional materials such as bottle caps onto the solar panel to prop it up is optional. Finally, use your phone charging cable and test out your very own solar phone charger.
Which solar phone charger is best?
One of the best solar phone chargers is the BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank. Its expansive range of benefits includes:
- High power output
- Small and portable
- Wireless charging (optional)
- Flashlight and compass built-in
- Affordable price range
Some other top-rated solar phone chargers include:
- BigBlue 28W Solar Charger – Fast charging with 3 foldable solar panels.
- X-Dragon 40W Solar Charger – Compact and lightweight with 4 solar panels.
- Nekteck 21W Solar Charger – Efficient SunPower panels in rugged design.
- Hiluckey 25W Solar Charger – Budget option with USB C and 4 Solar Panels
- Beartwo 10000mAh Solar Power Bank – Integrated battery with durable silicon solar panel.
- Freeloader Pro – Minimal and lightweight portable solar charger.
In short, when finding the best solar charging experience, look for high-efficiency solar cells, sufficient wattage, weatherproofing, and battery capacity. Also consider your usage needs, portability preferences, and budget.
Conclusion
The innovation of solar-powered phones and solar chargers are a promising step in the right direction. These solar phones are able to convert the sunlight emitted from the sun to electrical energy which then charges their internal battery.
While solar phones have not had any major success in the market due to factors like overheating and poor charging efficiency, technological developments such as see-through solar films and transparent luminescent solar concentrators may allow for solar phones to become more viable.
Solar chargers also have their pros and cons. They are cost-effective in the long term, leave virtually no carbon footprint and are safe for use but it is highly dependent on the weather and slower than electric chargers. Therefore, weigh the advantages and disadvantages and be well informed on how it works before purchasing one.
Overall, solar charging for phones is still an emerging technology. Ongoing improvements in solar cell efficiency along with consumer demand for sustainable devices is expected to drive further innovation.
As solar panels become more powerful and integrate into mobile devices, solar-powered phones could become a mainstream reality in the not-too-distant future. Portable and affordable solar chargers provide a flexible, eco-friendly charging solution for outdoor enthusiasts today.
Thinking beyond phones: Solar power your home
Solar-powered phones offer a glimpse into the future, but harnessing the sun’s energy for your home provides a more tangible benefit today. Installing solar panels can significantly reduce your electricity bills and dependence on the grid, all while lessening your environmental impact. While there’s an initial investment, government incentives can help offset those costs.
Explore the possibility of powering your home with the sun and discover a way to make a lasting impact on the environment and your wallet.
For more on solar energy, solar panels and the latest solar technology, head over to Just Solar.
