A new Kickstarter project presents Shine, a flashlight and USB charger in one package powered by a small solar panel. It offers more than thirty hours of lighting and can also act as an external battery for your smartphone.
A Solar-Powered Flashlight and Charger
While more and more companies are betting on renewable energy, the reality is that even if we want to do our part, it's hard to imagine solar panels in our backyards. But a first step can be taken with Shine, a new Kickstarter venture that offers a flashlight and USB charger in the same package powered by a small, easily installable solar panel. Voltaic Systems, the developer, assures that with a single charge Shine provides more than thirty hours of illumination, and being completely waterproof makes it ideal for outdoor installation or camping.
The device can be charged by connecting it to any USB port or directly using Voltaic's solar panel. Moreover, once charged, the small flashlight can also serve as an external battery for your cell phone, making it very useful in situations such as power outages or similar emergencies. Regarding the makers, Voltaic Systems is a portable lighting and electrical company from Brooklyn, New York, specializing in designing and manufacturing a full range of solar charging solutions.
Crowdfunding Success and Pricing
Thanks to a successful fundraising campaign, the generosity of backers paid off in the form of $40,500 (surpassing the requested $18,000), with which the developer Voltaic Systems will begin mass production of Shine, with units delivered to their respective owners starting in January 2016. The flashlight alone, which can also be charged with any 220-volt USB adapter, costs $39, while the package that includes the solar panel costs $66.
