The Energizer Bunny goes solar

Thu Jan 8, 2009 1:13AM EST

See Comments (7)

Keep your rechargeable AA or AAA batteries going, and going ... and going, even when there's not an AC outlet in sight. All you need is direct sunlight, and several hours to kill.

Set to arrive in May, the Energizer Rechargeable Solar Charger ($49, comes with a pair of rechargeable AA Energizer batteries) looks a bit like an oversized gray flip-phone; open it up, though, and you'll find a swiveling solar panel and a compartment for the AA/AAA batteries you're looking to recharge.

Just angle the solar panel for a direct shot of sunlight and you're good to go—as long as you're not in a hurry, that is. AAA batteries will charge in about nine hours via the solar panel, while AA batteries will need a full 20 hours. Of course, you'll speed things up considerably if you manage to scare up an actual power outlet; an AC adapter is included, and the unit has a USB port for powering laptops, cell phones, and other USB-enabled gadgets.

Comments on The Energizer Bunny goes solar

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  • 1 Posted by dcsoccer25 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    20 hours? I'm all for green technology, but that kind of charge time is pretty much useless. It's essentially going to take two full days to charge because you obviously don't have 20 full hours of light in a day in most places. Useless product.

  • 2 Posted by tsui_san on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    It'll be faster for me to walk down to the local supermarket on my hands and pick up a pack of batteries. Speed is key!

  • 3 Posted by dolllovr23 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    What they need is a solar paneled device that you can use to power your device. That's what i'm waiting for! You connect your mp3 player to it, and the sun takes over. You can do a 10k run, soak up some rays at the beach, or go bike-riding, and you can listen to your tunes for hours and hours, without need for batteries. How cool would that be?!?!

  • 4 Posted by dolllovr23 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    what dcsoccer25 said was right on! 20 hours to charge something is kind of a lonnng time. I hope that this model of the charger will be just a prototype, and the next version will improve things, like taking only 10 hours to charge two AA batteries. It's not a question of if, but when.

  • 5 Posted by pgbornnzbred on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    More solar panels needed. 9 hours and 20 hours just doesn't cut it. And by the way, it's the Duracell Bunny :)

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