Batteries with built-in solar charger

Inventor Knut Karlsen this week unveiled his idea for solar powered batteries on his blog.

The prototype C-cell batteries are wrapped in flexible photovoltaic solar panels, and slowly recharge when left in the sun - completely removing any need for battery chargers.

“At home I always have some batteries lying around, either rechargeable or normal ones,” writes Karlson.

“Usually they are empty, but I’d like them to be always fully charged.”

Out of this problem, the idea of ‘SunCat’ batteries was conceived.

“The batteries should just bask in the sun like a cat and left for a while, in a sunny window, they would slowly recharge.”

The batteries slowly collect enough energy from the sun to charge up without ever getting overcharged.

Karlson plans to add capacitors in version 2 of the prototype, making the more efficient at charging.

He also plans to add a gauge on the side that lets users know when the batteries are fully charged.