Sharp Solar Panel for Mobile Phones and Devices
Sharp Solar Panel For Mobile Phones And Devices
Find out more about the Sharp LR0GC02 Solar Panel module for recharging mobile phones and other devices
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Pictured above is the Sharp LR0GC02 ultra-thin solar panel module for mobile phone recharging. Until recently, this solar panel has only been available in Japan, but it is now (May 2009) to be sold by Sharp to the rest of the world's device manufacturers.
While photovoltaic solar panels have been fitted to mobile phones before, Sharp claim that their 300mW solar panel is the thinnest yet at just 0.8mm. With the power requirements of smartphones increasing, and the number of mobile phones in the developing world rapidly growing, there will be no shortage of consumers interested in increasing the battery life of their mobile devices with such a solar panel. Mass production is due to start on July 10th 2009, with 100,000 units per month to be manufactured. It will retail at around 3,000 Yen (approx 20 GBP in May 2009).
Solar Panel Specifications
As stated earlier, the LR0GC02 is rated at 300mW with a maximum output voltage of 4.5V and load current of 67mA. The panel is 67.5 x 41mm and just 0.8mm thick and is made from polycrystalline silicon. It is designed to be fitted into the body of mobile devices by manufacturers.
As an example, look at the latest iPhone. This is supplied with a 1,400mAh 3.7V lithium-ion battery pack (far higher capacity than a standard mobile phone, and higher than the majority of smartphones). With a solar panel charging current of 67mA, it would take 20 hours of sunshine (e.g. about 4 sunny days in the UK) to get the phone up to full charge from empty. This may not sound very impressive, but since the iPhone will run on standby for 250 hours from one full battery charge (i.e. for 10 full days and nights), the solar panel will be able to more than keep up with the drain on the battery when the phone is used infrequently, but must be kept charged - for example, when on holiday.
For phones will smaller battery capacities, the effect of the solar panel will be a huge increase in standby/talk time.
Article Last Modified: 12:20, 27th May 2009Comment on this Article
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