Solar Power in the Omo

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We used these Brunton solar panels to charge everything, including AA, Nikon D2x, Satellite Internet Connection and Mac Powerbook batteries. (Stay tuned. Another post will explain the special modifications needed to charge the proprietary Nikon and Powerbook batteries.)

Ropes tied with adjustable knots to two specially selected trees and Bunji cords allowed us to adjust the angle of the panels to the sun. In the middle of the day, the panels lay flat on the ground to face the sun. During the late afternoon and evening, they were suspended more and more vertically. Unfortunately, we were away from camp most days thus not able to maximize the angle to the sun.

These panels are the newest technology. (More details later when I switch from cultural to technology mode.) To give an example of the charging power, with two panels connected in series, I did a Mac Powerbook battery 0 to 78% full in four hours. Not bad. Sunset prevented us from reaching 100%. But I noticed that the trusty Bruntons kept charging even after the sun disappeared. Hmm. I wonder how much can be done with a full moon.

I’ve only encountered one problem with the panels so far. I needed to hire a guard so that no one steals them while we’re gone during the day.