The Solar-Powered iPod: Does It Exist?
Looking for a solar-powered iPhone or iPod? Don’t waste your time searching, because you won’t find it anytime soon. According to CrunchGear, while Apple has applied for a patent on solar cells for small media devices, the next iPod will not be equipped with solar panels.
The announcement comes just a few weeks before Macworld 2010, where the company will be showcasing hundreds of Mac products and services, as well as software that is used with Apple’s products.
As of September 2009, Apple has sold 220 million iPods, and users have downloaded more than 8.5 billion songs from iTunes. That’s the equivalent of 85 million CDs that would have been made. Photo: Flickr/Amin Tabrizi
There are mixed thoughts about incorporating solar cells with electronics. On the one hand, it would allow for an alternative source of power for the devices, and from sketches released by Apple, the cells would be underneath the screen so as not to take away from the limited space available.
But solar cells are such a new technology that there aren’t any established recycling programs. It also requires additional chemicals used to make the photovolatics that produce solar power, which can be toxic in landfills.
Factor in that the EPA estimates an average cell phone has a life cycle of 18 months, and the expected 20-year life cycle of a solar panel becomes greatly reduced.
Even if the device itself isn’t solar powered, you can still use solar power to generate the charge. One option is a solar backpack, with plugs to charge hand-held electronics and all power provided by the sun.
In tests, one hour of sun exposure generated enough power for 3.5 hours of iPod use.
If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, check out iRecycle® for on-the-go recycling information courtesy of Earth911.
As of June 17th 2011 we have upgraded our comment system to use Facebook comments.
The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.
Linda A.
posted on January 29th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
We’ve had solar-powered pocket calculators for YEARS, why can’t they make solar-powered iPhones and iPods, as well as BlackBerrys and other smartphones, and MP3 players, too.
chris
posted on February 25th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
It does exist! Novothink has a solar charging iPod and iPhone case that works great. Plus it’s Apple certified. http://bit.ly/ipod-solar
RU-solar energy advantages enthusiast
posted on April 14th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Apple isn’t the only company thinking about adding solar to mobile devices, Panasonic is interested in becoming #1 in the solar electronic arena. Soon we will have mobile devices that recharge themselves and we won’t have to carry all that extra equipment, sleek and simple.
If you are interested in learning how you can transition to solar energy or incorporate solar energy into your life, check out http://www.solar-energy-advantages-blog.com for a practical approach. For all things solar.