These 5 solar-powered gadgets will ensure that you never have to sit inside this weekend
Lee Celano/AP
Summer is a wonderful time. Weekends away from work mean time spent enjoying the beautiful outdoors with family and friends.
But as much as we like to think we can "become one" with nature, let's face it. Most of us can't go a day without our favorite electronics, whether that's a phone, camera, or something else. And when you're out and about, nothing is more frustrating than not being able to accomplish a task because the battery died.
Cue the never-ending power source: the sun. It provides energy for a variety of uses at no cost you to.
So, here are 5 solar powered products that you are definitely going to want this summer.
1) Solar phone charger
D'Eco/Amazon
The Sunflower solar phone charger could change the way you enjoy your time by the pool, lake, or anywhere outside. It can charge an iPhone, Android, or any other smartphone and it can be used anywhere there is sunlight.
According to Forbes, iPhone batteries hold a charge of 5.45 watt hours. If you fully drain and recharge your phone everyday, that adds up to 2,000 watt hours over the course of a year. This may not seem like a huge deal, but that's a lot of electricity when you consider the whole nation. PewResearch believes that 2/3 of Americans own a smartphone. The 2014 United States census reported over 318 million people, which means more than 2 million Americans have smartphones. Now we're talking about billions of watt hours used in phone charging each year.
So get your hands on a solar powered phone charger. You'll be able to charge your phone on the go. And, you'll also be able to start saving energy and money at the same time.
Sunflower 2500 mAh Phone Charger, $19.95, available at Amazon.
2) Solar powered, robotic lawn mower
Husqvarna
Now, you can now cut your lawn without even walking around. Husqvarna offers robotic lawn mowers that use no fuel or oil, like most lawn mowers do. Among other options, the Automower 220 AC has a rechargeable NiMH 18-volt battery and also gets energy from the 12-watt solar cell panel attached to its back.
The mower is also made of 90% recycled materials, adding to its environmentally-friendliness.
So next time your lawn is looking a little unruly, consider this mower, which can take the work out of mowing the lawn.
Automower 220 AC, $2,399, available at Husqvarna.
3) Solar powered speaker
Eton/Amazon
Nothing says summer fun like a little bit of music. The Eton Rugged Rukus solar-powered, bluetooth-ready speaker lets you be prepared no matter where you go.
The speaker has a solar panel on its top, in addition to an internal battery. It's water-resistant and durable, meaning you can play at the beach and not worry about anything happening to it, while soaking up the sun's energy to keep it playing. It can also be used to charge your smartphone.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider