CES: Solarfocus hooks Amazon’s Kindle up to solar power

RENEWABLE ENERGY FIRM Solarfocus has unveiled a case for the Amazon Kindle e-reader with a built in solar panel at the consumer electronics show (CES).

The case is aptly named the Solarkindle and the firm claims it is the first solar powered e-reader cover. The product will be available from 15 January with a price tag of $79.

Dick Lu, EVP of Solarfocus said, "We are very happy to see our SolarKindle Lighted Cover receive such honourable recognition from the International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards."

The Solarkindle is a leather case that has a solar panel built in to the front to give extra juice to the Kindle. It has a reserve battery that can be charged by the solar panel or USB, which will keep the device topped up. Solarfocus said one hour of sunlight can provide up to three days of reading time.

It will also have an LED light so you can read in darker conditions. The light can be switched on for up to 50 hours, powered by the reserve battery.

All of this makes the cover pretty handy if you're away from a power source on holiday, and because the cover has a battery you don't even need it to be sunny. It's bound to be a popular product after the Kindle topped the list of popular Christmas presents. µ