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Solar Charger Made for Africa Coming to the U.S.Fenix International launches Kickstarter campaign to bring $300 off-gridsolar charger to U.S. customers while it seeks to expand in Africa.It won't run your refrigerator, but this solar panel with a battery willcharge small electronics and power a light during a blackout.Credit: Fenix InternationalIt's not often that technology designed in the United States for peoplein developing countries comes back to the U.S. But that's exactly what'shappening with an off-grid solar charger.San Francisco-based startup Fenix International has raised enough moneyon Kickstarter to offer its ReadySet solar charging kit in the U.S. The$300 package includes a 15-watt solar panel about the size of a lunchtray, a battery with USB and car-charging ports, and an LED light. Thecompany expects U.S. customers will use it to charge small electronics,such as tablets and cell phones, with solar power.In Uganda, the ReadySet kit is being used mainly to charge cell phones.There are hundreds of millions of cell phones in developing countries,but the lack of reliable power makes charging them a challenge.With the off-grid solar power, individuals can charge cell phones forothers and collect a fee. The light bulb also provides light at night,replacing dangerous kerosene lamps. 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All too many wellintentioned NGOs distribute water pumps or solar panels but they aren'taround to support that initiative," he said.Instead, Fenix International forged a deal with South Africa-basedtelecom MTN Group, which sells the ReadySet kit with its branding atcost through its distribution network. Fenix was able to convince MTNGroup that providing access to power increased revenue per cell-phoneuser because subscribers can charge their phones more often. Thatincrease in revenue has been born out in trials, Lin said. Cell phonesare used for a wide variety of tasks in Uganda, including checking cropprices or mobile banking.The Kickstarter campaign sprang from conversations with friends at home,who said they'd like to have a solar charger themselves. The 15-wattpanel can be hung outside a window or on a deck to charge the lead acidbattery which holds 54 watt-hours, or about as much as 10 fullsmart-phone charges. There's an indicator to show charge along with twoUSB ports and two 12-volt car charging ports.As of today, the company has handily exceeded its funding goal, havingraised $75,700, most of which are preorders for the kit which will beavailable in October. The Kickstarter campaign allowed the company togauge demand for its product in the United States, Lin said, and helpraise the company's public profile. There are a number of solar chargersfor electronic gadgets, but having a battery makes charging much moreconvenient.The funding campaign will also be used to build an API that will letoutside hardware developers create connections to the ReadySet device.For example, a person could design an interface so that a fan or waterpump ran off the battery and solar panel.Fenix International hasn't shifted its primary focus from the developingworld, though. It intends to raise about $10 million from institutionaland angel investors to expand into other countries, Lin said.