Over the last few hundred years, the human race has changed dramatically. Where once we rode horses, cars now fill the streets. Where once there were torches, now there are light bulbs of every shape and size. As the late Carl Sagan once said, we’re an adaptable species. And in many ways, we have adapted, but when it comes to producing energy, well… we’ve got a long way to go, and that’s where the WakaWaka Power enters the picture.
Created by Camille van Gestel and a team of highly talented people of a wide range of disciplines, the WakaWaka Power might be the most efficient, least expensive compact solar power station on the market… or at least, almost on the market (more on that later). It’s capable of charging an Android or iPhone to 75% in about 6 hours, and the built-in high-power LED light (yes, it has a light as well) will illuminate for another 10 hours or so. Not too shabby, right?
The WakaWaka
If you’re a frequent Kickstarter-er, you might recognize the WakaWaka name from a project that Camille put together last year. Before he dove into a charging station, he created a solar-powered lamp to provide people in developing nations with reliable light after the sun sets. Proper sunlight is integral to reading a book or studying, which many of us take for granted here in North America.
Notice that sizeable circular cutout at the base of the station? Slip a pop bottle into the gap, and you can use the jerry-rigged contraption to cast light around your home in an emergency, or hell, just when you’re camping.
I think it’s safe to say that, despite the current technical limitations, and the political resistance we’ve seen in the United States, solar energy will be a massive part of our energy production pipeline in the future. Given the plentiful, free energy that the sun blasts us with every second, we would be idiots not to use it. The problem for people like you and me is that solar panels are still relatively expensive, making it tough to dabble in them. That’s why I’m so excited that someone has created such a powerful, affordable means of solar energy, and I’ve shown that excitement by backing Camille’s project on Kickstarter.
Where can we buy the WakaWaka Power?
As you probably recall from earlier in the article, I mentioned that the WakaWaka power hasn’t yet reached the market. The reason for this is because – depending on when you’re reading this article – it’s still undergoing a campaign for funding on Kickstarter. At the time of this writing, the unit exceeded its funding goal of $50,000 by an additional $283,00! Once again, very impressive.
So you’ve got a few options here… if you’re reading this in time, head over to the WakaWaka Power Kickstarter page and pledge $69 if you’re in the USA or $79 if you’re international. That’s $10 off the eventual retail price, and you’ll get the device earlier than everyone else. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until Camille releases it on the official WakaWaka website. It’s a fantastic deal for a great device, and you’ll be helping provide jobs for people in developing countries, as all the packing will be done in Haiti. I’m incredibly proud to be a backer, and I plan to write a full review when the device arrives in May 2013.
