Power
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The world’s most powerful handheld solar chargers invented by World Panel Inc to be launched in Cape Town, South Africa
| By Vincent Nzemeke | Nov. 18, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT
WORLD Panel Inc, one of Africa’s leading technology companies, is set to launch a suite of powerful handheld solar chargers, the latest inventions from the organisation. The new product will be unveiled at AfricaCom, a telecom conference scheduled to hold in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 12-14.
The world panel 500 and 1000 portable phone chargers, will be unveiled for the first time at the conference which is regarded as the largest African telecom conference, to showcase a solution for the revenue gap caused by charging difficulties, and provide branding opportunities for wireless carriers with colourful units that pack a lot of consumer appeal and their partners.
A key feature of the new chargers is the patented ‘direct-from-the-sun’ technology that charges a phone as fast as a wall outlet and allows for a low price-point as well as remarkable durability. Utility-grade materials from the solar industry are used in the construction of the rugged devices so they can endure the harshest environmental conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa. A full array of accessories including powerbanks, lights and charge-on-the-go backpacks will also be on display at the Booth P7 at AfricaCom. The chargers can power any USB device and can be linked together using the patent-pending power link to double or triple the output.
Speaking about the product, John Anderson, chief executive officer of World Panel, said the product was invented to offer people a better way of charging their phones and other devices. “I arrived in the Sub-Saharan Africa in 2011 with a solar prototype for boiling water and left with the clear message that people wanted a better way to keep their phones charged. After an intense research, development and testing period, I am returning to Africa to launch a line of patented chargers that meet the requirements of those I interviewed. It is as fast as a wall plug, it will last, and the price is right. Income generation is possible also for both entrepreneurs and the telecoms since 10 phones can be charged in a day.”
Recent independent tests performed on the chargers show that the most popular phones in Africa charge in an hour, which provides five to six hours of talk time. Blackberry smart phones charge in two to three hours and provide three to four hours of talk and data time. Test reports for charging Nokia phones, Samsung, iPhone, iPads, etc. will be available at the show and upon request. In-booth demonstrations with sun simulators, including charging while under water, will also be available at P7 booth at the event.
Operators interested in discussing preferred pricing at the show can meet with United States and European executives from world panel throughout the duration of the conference. By eliminating the charging costs associated with phone ownership in many areas, and allowing for fast and easy charging for up to 10 phones per day via free sun energy, operators can review programs that recoup the cost of the chargers within a few months and generate income for years to come.
On-the-go charging can pave the way for more airtime purchases and smart phone use. World Panel will offer attractive co-branding and bundling opportunities to those interested in adding mobile electricity to their line of subscriber services. GSMA, the global trade association representing about 700 GSM mobile phone operators around the world, states that charging solutions represent a $3.37 billion opportunity for the operators, and the U.N.’s energy initiative has published that African telecoms suffer a 20 percent revenue loss due to unreliable phone charging.
Exclusive arrangements are in place for multi-colour solar cells to be used in the manufacturing process, allowing for various colour combinations in the finished products and specific branding requests. World Panel Inc. is prepared to take orders at the show and products will be available in early 2014.
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