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MTN Now Selling Portable Solar Chargers In South Africa For Mobile Devices

MTN Now Selling Portable Solar Chargers In South Africa For Mobile Devices

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwQZM-K3yGY

South Africa-based multinational mobile telecommunications company, MTN, has partnered with U.S.-based mobile solar tech company, World Panel, to sell a portable solar charger for mobile devices, ESIAfrica reported.

It’s one in a slew of technological innovations penetrating African markets that are opening up opportunities for marginalized communities living off the electrical grid.

The SunStream can charge most feature phones as fast as a wall plug, or almost as fast, according to PVMagazine. It’s also impact resistant and waterproof.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the charger is $14 US and includes $1.33 worth of free airtime on the MTN network, ITWebAfrica reported.

The charger was demonstrated at MTN stores in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, and will be available 45 MTN stores by the end of the week. There are plans to distribute it in other parts of Africa – one of the reasons MTN was selected as a partner, said Hennie Botha, managing director of South Africa for World Panel.

The Colorado-based World Panel announced in November that it had a retail agreement with African mobile communications company, Vodacom, to sell the solar charging device.

At the launch, the manufacturer said this is the first technology in the world that combines USB charging standards with international solar panel standards, bypassing the need for chipsets or PC boards which are known for breaking on typical solar chargers, the company said.

This innovation can be seen as a game changer, providing users with reliable and affordable power, Botha said, according to ESIAfrica.

Founded by solar expert and entrepreneur John Anderson, the World Panel technology was developed for customers who view their mobile device as a lifeline but lack access to electricity to keep it charged, Botha said.