Solar powered flashlight
Encyclopedia
Solar powered flashlights are flashlight
s that can be powered through solar energy using solar cell
s as well as through batteries
. Most of these flashlights run on LED
lights due to the low energy consumption cost.
Other models include a wide variety of other features including a built in solar cell phone charger
AM/FM radio that has a high sensitivity the built-in FM antenna, a built in siren to call for help during an emergency, hand crank dynamo charging for use in night time etc., which can be used during outdoor activities and blackouts.
and the US have developed a solar flashlight no larger than a credit card. It features a white LED powered by 16 solar cells. When tests were conducted on the flashlight to determine its efficiency and study the effects of humidity on its performance, it was concluded that the general efficiency of the flashlight is at 89%. However, manufacturing the flashlight is a complicated procedure that involves up to 35 steps, and the flashlight is not ready for consumer manufacturing.
Flashlight
A flashlight is a hand-held electric-powered light source. Usually the light source is a small incandescent lightbulb or light-emitting diode...
s that can be powered through solar energy using solar cell
Solar cell
A solar cell is a solid state electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect....
s as well as through batteries
Battery (electricity)
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
. Most of these flashlights run on LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
lights due to the low energy consumption cost.
Features
A typical flashlight can penetrate darkness to about 50 meters and the glow from the flashlight can be seen from upto 2 kilometers. The solar cells in the flashlight is capable of performing for 20 years. They can provide upto 6 hours of light when charged to about 6 hours. Flashlights designed to be used in remote locations are shockproof and weatherproof in addition to being able to float.Other models include a wide variety of other features including a built in solar cell phone charger
Solar cell phone charger
Solar cell phone chargers use solar panels to charge cell phone batteries. They are an alternative to conventional electrical cell phone chargers and in some cases can be plugged into an electrical outlet....
AM/FM radio that has a high sensitivity the built-in FM antenna, a built in siren to call for help during an emergency, hand crank dynamo charging for use in night time etc., which can be used during outdoor activities and blackouts.
Battery life
To maximize your battery life on the solar flashlight, it is recommended that the battery be fully drained at least once a month. Doing so would erase any battery memory that is created from half-charges.Innovations
A group of scientists from DenmarkDenmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and the US have developed a solar flashlight no larger than a credit card. It features a white LED powered by 16 solar cells. When tests were conducted on the flashlight to determine its efficiency and study the effects of humidity on its performance, it was concluded that the general efficiency of the flashlight is at 89%. However, manufacturing the flashlight is a complicated procedure that involves up to 35 steps, and the flashlight is not ready for consumer manufacturing.
Advantages
- Solar powered lights need not be manually recharged as in the case of conventional battery operated flashlights.
- Pollution from discarded batteries used in normal flashlights is eliminated.
- Solar powered flashlights can be used in remote locations where it is impossible to find any source of electricity except for solar power.
Significance
Solar powered flashlights have been distributed to countries where there is either none or erratic power supply, helping people feel safer leaving their homes at night, and giving children the opportunity to study after sunset. A dual purpose solar flashlight, which also functions as a lamp has helped families in such countries spend more time together, surgeries to be performed during power outages and people to travel in the dark under a halo of light.See also
- Solar cell phone chargerSolar cell phone chargerSolar cell phone chargers use solar panels to charge cell phone batteries. They are an alternative to conventional electrical cell phone chargers and in some cases can be plugged into an electrical outlet....
- Solar notebookSolar notebookThe solar notebook is a laptop with powerful batteries that are recharged by solar panel attached to the notebook.- Features :Unlike regular laptops, some models of solar notebooks come with a flap-like structure which functions as a solar panel and can be removed if required. This generates...
- Solar powered calculatorSolar powered calculatorSolar powered calculators are hand-held electronic calculators powered by photovoltaic panels mounted on the device. They were introduced at the end of the 1970s.- Features :...
- Solar powered fountainSolar powered fountainA Solar powered fountain is an electrical fountain powered by solar panel. The solar panel either forms a part of the fountain or is kept separate and is connected externally to the fountain.- Features :...
- Solar powered radioSolar powered radioA solar powered radio is a portable radio receiver powered by photovoltaic panels. It is primarily used in remote areas where access to power sources is limited.- History :...
- Solar fanSolar fanA solar fan is a mechanical fan powered by solar panels. The solar panels are either mounted on the device or are installed independently. Solar fans mostly do not require secondary power sources other than solar power, as most of them are used for cooling purposes during day time. Some types are...
- Solar street lightSolar street lightSolar street lights are raised light sources which are powered by photovoltaic panels generally mounted on the lighting structure. The photovoltaic panels charge a rechargeable battery, which powers a fluorescent or LED lamp during the night.- Features :...