Solar Power brings 16Mbps Broadband to Towns without Electricity

     White space networks have yet to revolutionize Internet access but they still have hope in creating a drastic impact in countries that have lack the consistency of Internet access. A new project of the power of white space networks is arising in Kenya as a solar-powered network brings Internet to people who aren't connected to an electrical power grid.
      The previous month, Microsoft, along with Kenyan government officials, deployed the network in various areas in Kenya. It is currently serving a health clinic in Burguret, a primary and secondary school in Male, a secondary school in Gakawa, and a library in Laikipia. The network is planned to be expanded to 20 other locations in the next coming months.
       Director of technology policy at Microsoft, Paul Garnett recalls that "down in the valley, nobody has electricity." However, some areas did have mobile Internet access, but "it's so expensive that nobody ever uses it," says Garnett. Electricity is not completely unavailable but it is said that it is scarce. For example, a school has electricity going into the principal's office but it is unavailable anywhere else.
       This is where solar power comes in; specifically, 4.5 kilowatt hours of energy per day are derived from 7 square-meter panels. "During the day the solar panel is providing enough to run the network and provide some charging capability, and then in evenings there is this battery backup that can continue to provide broadband access, plus you have excess capacity for overnight charging," Garnett said. "Think of the school scenario where you've got a computer lab that the kids can use during of the day, and drain down the batteries in the tablets during the day. And then in the evening you have a charging station where all the tablets are plugged in and can recharge overnight."

More and more solar gadgets to look into in 2013

Are you tired of constantly trying to buy batteries for your keyboard because it just keeps on dying after a period of time? Well, problem solved with the new anticipated Logitech Wireless Solar-Powered Keyboard!

Oh, and did I mention there's one in black too?

This keyboard is compatible with mobile devices such as tablets and phones accessed through the bluetooth function. Don't worry about buying batteries for this one because it's charged through the solar cells on top as shown. Full charged capacity can obtain functionality up to three hours.


Next off, do you have a kindle? If you do, this is maybe something you ought to consider getting for your Kindle.

Solar Focus had created a leather case over for the screen and they also inserted a flap on the top right hand of the case to charge the case from the sun. Not only this but there is a LED reading light built in to read outdoors and indoors.


Battery-powered flashlights can get lost in luggage easily and anything battery powered can only last for a period of time. Battery-powered lanterns can eat up all those D-size batteries in only a few days but, here's an invention that is worth keeping.

Featuring the Woods Solar Powered Tent, it is a tent with solar-powered LED lighting inside. This tent has many LED lights strung, all of them which are connected to a panel on its outside that can charge from the sun in 6 hours. At night, you can access lighting for 2-4 hours.

So, when you decide to go camping with a few of your friends or family members, don't hesitate to buy and pack this invention for it'll save the hassle!

When you go somewhere for a vacation and there is just that one thing that always slips your mind in forgetting to pack? Well, mobile chargers are usually forgetful when traveling somewhere but, that's where the Goal Zero Sherpa 120 Kit comes in!

This kit runs at a high-efficiency rate, in which it has enough power to charge an iPhone for 133 hours, an iPod for 400 hours or even a laptop for 5 hours. It actually is not heavy as expected (6.5 lbs) when it carries a panel, cables and a power pack. When the pack reaches its full charging capacity, it can hold 120Wh, which is enough to charge the average laptop twice or more.

For people who enjoy decorative lights or even gardening, consider this: Mohzy Petal Solar Light.

This solar light can be a cute and fun way of decorating your garden for it can absorb sunlight through the small solar panel featured on the left and illuminate the garden outdoors at night.