IXYS Corporation announced the release of The Solar Pad - a high-efficiency Li-Polymer solar charger ideal for charging smart phones, tablets, and multi-media players via standard USB connection..
Measuring 120 mm in length, 76 mm in width, and 18 mm in height and weighing 300 g, the IXYS solar charger is highly portable - it is about the size of a smart phone. Equipped with 2 USB ports, one micro-USB port, and 4 white LED lights, it produces 5.2 V of power at 1.5 A, which is about 8 watts of solar power.
The Solar Pad is constructed with a 1 W solar cell and is the most efficient portable in its class; it achieves a high efficiency of 22 percent. Its high capacity Li-Polymer battery, however, can also be quickly charged through a USB input at the rate of 1.2 A at 5 V. It is able to deliver power to other devices while it itself is being charged. Moreover a smart charging feature implemented with an MCU protects the device from being over- charged or discharged.
Additionally it is more than a mobile battery charger; its LEDs function as a highly bright flashlight (1W), which can be configured as either "blinking" or "continuous." The flashlight is usable during both charging and discharging modes.
Due to its compact size, high capacity Li-Polymer battery, and highly portable nature, it comes in handy during camping trips, emergency situations, or power outages. The solar charger provides extra power to such portable electronic devices as all phones, smart phones, tablets, E-Books, PDAs, GPS devices, portable media players and other portable tools and gadgets.