No Plans for Solar Panel iPod
Apple has recently applied for a patent on solar cells for small media devices however there are no plans to equip the next iPod with solar panels.
There are mixed thoughts about putting solar panels on small devices like iPods, one advantage would be to provide an alternative source of power. From sketches released by Apple the solar cells would be underneath the screen so would not use any more space on the small iPods.
The disadvantages of using solar panels on iPods include there being no established recycling programs and the chemicals used to make solar power can be extremely toxic at landfill.
Maybe Apple will include solar panels on future iPods but no plans have yet been drawn up. It is still possible to use solar power to generate the charge by using a solar backpack which plugs into an iPod and will charge it for up to 3 and a half hours.
February 25th, 2010 at 6:58 am
Solar panels on handheld devices are fine but is the panel large enough to serve a purpose? I believe not.
Current solar panel efficiency rates are around 17%. This means that 17% of all light that meets the panel can be converted into energy. In order to soak up enough energy to charge effectively, the device would need to be face down with the device under some sort of natural or artificial light. This would also mean that the device does not charge when in a pocket or bag.
The idea and concept sounds good but in reality it is flawed.
I suggest look at other ways to charge the device using solar such as solar bag. This way, youcan charge whilst you are on-the-move, your device is safe in your bag and it will also geneate enough power to really deliver the charge to your device it requires.
March 28th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Right on !! Damn I’m getting addicted to your weblog