SunVolt Solar Charger Promises ''Outlet-Like'' Charging

By Tuan Mai
published

This Kickstarter project offers powerful solar charging in a compact, portable package.

Portable solar chargers can be found just about anywhere these days, but one critical difference which sets Kickstarter project SunVolt apart from its large pool of competitors is its ability to charge multiple electronic devices as quickly and effectively as an outlet found in your home. While other trickle charging solar devices may take their sweet time charging your gadgets, SunVolt creator Don Cayelli claims his device charges all of your gadgets directly from the sun with "outlet speeds."

Apparently the magic comes from the device's monocrystalline photovoltaic panels. The technology allows room for very efficient solar charging in a smaller, compact package. Backed by a lifetime warranty, the charger comes in a ballistic nylon package and two versions: a 15W and a 10W. The larger of the two measures like a notebook case when zipped up, with dimensions of 17.5 x 11.5 x 1.5-inches while the smaller measures in at 13 x 11.5 x 1.5-inches.

The 15W package features three charging ports while the 10W package features two. In addition, both chargers will have a pair of USB charging slots along with Micro-USB ad Mini-USB ports. An affordable pledge of $85 will get you a 10W SunVolt while a $105 pledge will get you the 15W edition. With just 8 days left until funding, the project has achieved $44,311 with an original goal of $30,000. Head on over to the Kickstarter page here to reserve your very own SunVolt.

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Tuan Mai
Tuan Mai
Tuan Mai is a Los Angeles based writer and marketing manager working within the PC Hardware industry. He has written for Tom's Guide since 2010, with a special interest in the weird and quirky.
9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • back_by_demand
    Seriously? Motorola and Nokia have the biggest and most hyped announcment in years, covered by every tech website worth reading and this story is the best you can come up with?
    ...
    Disgusted, sick of tuning in to Tom's with news so irrellevant or out of date I may as well get my tech news from I Can Haz Cheezburger
    Reply
  • That is some terrible soldering right there
    Reply
  • Vorador2
    I personally think it's too good to be true.
    Reply
  • freggo
    NowaylolThat is some terrible soldering right there
    Do I need new glasses?
    Where do you see soldering in the photos ?
    Reply
  • lamorpa
    back_by_demandDisgusted, sick of tuning in to Tom's with news so irrellevant or out of date I may as well get my tech news from I Can Haz CheezburgerSo sorry to hear of your troubles. You may want to replace your browser or maybe even your entire computer if it is forcing you to only be able to browse TH. I personally have never heard of such a virus, but hey, with a mind as simple as yours, you've probably applied for many a free iPod, and gotten your system into a strange state. Good luck.
    Reply
  • back_by_demand
    lamorpaSo sorry to hear of your troubles. You may want to replace your browser or maybe even your entire computer if it is forcing you to only be able to browse TH. I personally have never heard of such a virus, but hey, with a mind as simple as yours, you've probably applied for many a free iPod, and gotten your system into a strange state. Good luck.Sarcasm fail, I obviously know about the articles as I do read other websites, smartass
    ...
    I come here because the other forum members are generally bright and intelligent, must be having an off day today though...
    Reply
  • irh_1974
    back_by_demandSeriously? Motorola and Nokia have the biggest and most hyped announcment in years, covered by every tech website worth reading and this story is the best you can come up with?Got a point though, where are the Nokia & Moto stories?
    Reply
  • shin0bi272
    sunvolt charging system... better known as 1/3 of a solar panel LOL! Cool idea though... might include this in my prepping plan so I can have a charged ipod and recharge my tv remote batteries after the apocalypse...

    what would be really nice is if they had a small inverter and battery pack on it so you could get lets say an hour worth of 15A (roughly 1650w) of power instead of 15W of power. Then you could get some real use out of this idea other than carrying around a laptop size bag to charge your phone with.

    This is the issue I have with people pushing green energy on us... they want us to believe its just as good as what we're used to and its not... at least not without a LOT more scaling up. Sure you can run several hundred homes off of the largest solar plant in the world (in spain) but its only 20MW and takes up several square miles IIRC. The amount of power generated by the average coal plant is around 650MW of power and its about the size of a football field or two. Currently at least, solar is a horrible alternative.

    It would almost be easier for the people behind this project to give you a small propane tank, a metal container, some pipes, and a fan attached to a small electric motor via a shaft and have you create your own electricity like that (just add water). Would cost about 100 bucks for all that too and would generate WAY more power. Just wouldnt be as convenient to carry.
    Reply
  • jamie_1318
    How are these things considered news?

    I literally could walk into my room and build one right now.

    It looks like this

    Solar Panel--->battery---->inverter

    All of which I have bits and pieces lying around waiting to be recycled. There isn't any "new" technology in it at all, it isn't even a new idea.
    Reply