Yahoo! News - Japan's NTT develops compact solar-powered charger for mobile devices

Solar technology takes another step into everydayuse with this light, portable solar-celll system:

Japan's telecom giant NTT said it developed the world's first portable solar-cell system that can recharge mobile devices ranging from cellphones to camcorders and hand-held game consoles.

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT) will launch the unit, Pocket Energy, in Japan in May for a little under 20,000 yen (190 dollars) per unit.

"This will enable you to recharge your devices during trips abroad or in the wake of disasters," Keiichi Yasuda, chief producer at NTT's energy and environment team, told reporters Friday.

The unit comprises a solar panel that can be folded in two, an electricity-storing tablet and connecting cables. The system weighs about 300 grammes (10 ounces).

If put in direct sunshine for four hours, it can store enough electricity to run a mobile phone for four consecutive hours of talking.