A small personal solar panel called Emerald is the work of Engineering students at the University of Michigan that intended for usage in the developing countries where lack electricity availability. The device with a paperback size is capable of providing light and power requirements to recharge a cell phone.
United in a company called June Energy, the Engineering students has received more than $ 500,000 in venture capital and will send its first 40 domestic orders. They also will travel to Kenya and Mali to test their prototypes in the area that is still limited power source as well as introducing the device to its population.
According to a student, Emerald has been designed with the development of a circuit that allows the device to produce light as well as electricity supply at affordable prices. June Energy will provide a price below $ 20 for the market in developing countries. It will be able to replace kerosene lamps task with 100 lumens that will be able to produce a brighter light and comfortable to read while learning in the night. The device has been equipped with a USB port to allow charging cell phone.
