By: Michael Dale Issue: Vision Section: Community
Harnessing Power From The Sun
As portable devices grow in popularity and use, the market for portable power to recharge them has grown exponentially. However, the majority of the solutions provided by some of the industry giants do not meet the needs of portable device users. While there are currently short-term solutions to recharging, GOAL ZERO has designed a long-term sustainable solution.
GOAL ZERO’s solar-based products are the first and only truly effective portable mobile power products on the market. With their fully integrated, full system technology, they are also the only products designed to be widely versatile.
Over the past several years, the mobile device industry has revolutionized the way we work, entertain, and communicate by providing us advanced mobile devices such as smart phones, laptops, MP3 players and lGPS devices. As part of this revolution, users are now given the tools to access the Internet and work remotely, but are now consuming power in places where they previously did not. GOAL ZERO systems can provide a “plug” for any power need anywhere, anytime.
The company’s solar panels utilize mono-crystalline technology, which is the most efficient and reliable type of panel, offering the highest wattage per square foot in comparison to other types of panels. Made from a single silicon crystal (as opposed to many smaller pieces of crystal fused together), the mono-crystalline solar panel also performs the best in low light and extreme temperature conditions. The solar panels are very durable and will only begin to see a very slight degradation after seven continuous years of use. They work extremely well in sunny conditions but will work even on an overcast day unless the clouds are extremely dense. The fewer clouds in the sky, the more effective the solar panels. Many GOAL ZERO power packs use lithium ion phosphate batteries, which in addition to being environmentally responsible, can be charged 2000+ times before beginning to lose optimal charge.
Providing a perfect blend of portability and power, GOAL ZERO products feature full solar energy systems—solar panels, power packs and accessories—each designed to work in concert with each other. And, unique daisy chain technology allows users to link multiple power sources together. These easy-to-use products come in a variety of sizes and wattage for any need, ranging from the ultra-portable Guide 10 Adventure Kit, which can power a cell phone, GPS device, and speakers on an overnight hike, to the Extreme Explorer Kit, which provides enough power to fuel an entire base camp.
In many parts of the world, electricity is an expensive commodity. GOAL ZERO solar power kits provide a solution that is both sustainable and economical. For people living in areas affected by natural catastrophes, solar kits are an extremely useful and economical solution for power needs. In addition, the rechargeable solar kits are a more economical solution to continually buying traditional disposable batteries. For consumers who are interested in decreasing their dependence on traditional energy sources, GOAL ZERO products provide an off-the-grid power supply.
“We’re excited to be part of this new industry and provide portable energy to adventurers who need power in remote locations; humanitarian organizations and emergency preparedness groups providing power and light in extreme situations; or to soccer mom’s on the go. They all benefit from our products,” said Joe Atkin, President of GOAL ZERO.
In 2012, GOAL ZERO introduced two landmark products to the portable power industry. The launch of the new Sherpa 50 Portable Recharger and the YETI 1250 Solar Generator at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas marked a major milestone for consumers looking to improve their experience while working or playing off the grid, as well as those seeking to secure the latest technology in emergency preparedness solutions.
The new Sherpa 50 portable recharger, which was recently recognized by the CEA as CES Innovation Honoree for Portable Power, will change how consumers power vital devices like phones and laptops. Weighing only 14 oz. (0.9 lbs.), this latest addition to the mid-size Sherpa line is less than half the load of its predecessor, yet it harnesses the same 50-watt hour power capacity. The most compact of the Sherpa line, the new Sherpa 50 truly represents on-the-go power, as it measures less than 5 inches on each side and is only 1 ½ inches thick, allowing it to easily fit in any bag or briefcase. It also features a unique “Power Port” that will enable users to charge laptops directly from the recharger, thus eliminating the need for an AC inverter, as well as the computer’s AC power cable. Instead, users will be able to plug their device directly into the Sherpa 50 using one of its included connector cables. The Sherpa 50 charges fully via solar panel in 5-10 hours or within 2-3 hours via wall outlet. It can in turn, power a smart phone for 10 hours; deliver 25 hours of music on an iPod; and afford users a valuable, extra hour of life on a dying laptop when a traditional wall outlet is nowhere in sight.
The Yeti 1250 Solar Generator is GOAL ZERO’s highest-capacity portable recharger to date and is the most easy to use, affordable, dependable and complete solution available for those looking to “trade-up” from their conventional gas-powered back-ups. The Yeti 1250 is a generating beast, standing 16 inches tall, 11.6 inches wide and 14.5 inches deep and weighing 103 pounds. Much like its namesake, the Yeti 1250 is extremely powerful, but rarely seen or heard. It not only features multiple ports so you can charge several devices at once, but it offers a variety of output types, including AC, 1.5 amp USB, 33amp 12V DC, 6.6 amp 12V DC, which are compatible with a wide array of electronics from GPS units to refrigerators. All of the ports are easily activated with a flick of the master switch, but can also be micro-managed by a power group to individually protect circuits.
The Yeti 1250 charges fully in 20-22 hours via sun or in 16-20 hours via a wall outlet. It can power a laptop for 30+ hours; support a printer through 18,000+ pages of printing; keep a full-sized refrigerator cold for two to four days straight and maintain subzero temperatures in a chest freezer for eight days. Furthermore, unlike traditional gas-fueled generators, the Yeti 1250 never produces more power than is being drawn from it, so users needn’t worry about wasting power or unnecessary maintenance.
“At GOAL ZERO it’s not just about making an amazing product—it’s about the application of our products in consumers’ daily lives,” Atkin said. “We strive to take out the complicated guess work of utilizing a solar unit and build simplicity in, so that we can deliver the most dependable and useful solutions to our customers.”
GOAL ZERO believes the need for power solutions will continue to grow exponentially and is aggressively building solutions to meet those needs. Within five years, the company seeks to be recognized as the leader of portable solar power products. Within 10 years, the company plans to have millions of customers creating power on every continent.
GOAL ZERO is not an inventor of new technology, but rather an innovator of solutions. Solar panels and rechargers aren’t new by any means, however by empowering customers with innovative solutions and using existing technology in a way that has not been done before, GOAL ZERO is leading the revolution within the portable power industry.
For more information, visit www.goalzero.com.