As part of its excellent Emergency and Survival series, Brownells has a number of grid-independent power source options available. One of these options is the Solio Xcellerator solar charger and battery pack, an ingenious combination of solar panel and battery storage.
The two-part system, Solio explains, is superior for charging devices as the battery in the Hub device is specifically suited for capturing power from the solar panel, and then transmitting that power to your electronic device in a stable manner. The solar panel will charge the hub fully in four hours in direct sunlight and eight hours in indirect/cloudy weather. The Hub can also be plugged into a standard wall outlet and used as a back-up battery, and will charge the typical smartphone in 90 minutes.
Coming from an area of the country where snowstorms and ice deposits can and often do knock out power for hours or days at a time, having a source of power for electronic devices is a definite plus. If you have outdoor hobbies like camping, being able to charge your communication device without relying on battery storage alone brings peace of mind.
With the Solio Xcellerator solar panel and Hub, you can charge your electronic devices from the sun while simultaneously having a source of stored power, all for an MSRP of $100.
