Utahns’ solar device lets campers, disaster survivors charge phones

Utahns’ solar device lets campers, disaster survivors charge phones

(Courtesy of Kogalla)


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SANDY — If you ever find yourself in an emergency situation, Rob Urry and Dick Burnett are pretty sure you'll want access to a fully-charged smartphone.

“In the event of an emergency you don’t think of your phone as a survival tool, but it really becomes a communication lifeline,” Urry said. “But no one thinks of putting their phone in their emergency preparedness kit.”

Utahns’ solar device lets campers, disaster survivors charge phones

The Utah men designed the Kogalla Solar Storage Bank, a portable solar array with integrated storage, to charge phones and other devices during emergency situations and outdoor adventures. Since the power bank is solar powered, Burnett said it can serve as a renewable source of energy even when conditions are less than ideal.

The Kogalla Solar Storage Bank is the second outdoors product Urry and Burnett have developed together since they retired. Their first venture, the Zyntony Ra lightstrip, will be shipping soon after some production delays. The Kogalla Solar Storage Bank, which has raised more than $71,000 on Indiegogo as of Monday morning, started shipping before Christmas.

While there are already many solar panels and portable cellphone chargers available on the market, Burnett said this is the first device to marry the two together. By combining the two features in one device, it eliminates the need for extra cables and inconvenient charging initiation sequences.

Utahns’ solar device lets campers, disaster survivors charge phones

The solar storage bank has been optimized to continue charging, even when there is low light. When the panel is in full sun, the device will fully charge in three to four hours, which can charge a typical cellphone three to four times, according to Kogalla. It weighs just under 2 pounds and prices start at $149.

After the Indiegogo campaign concludes, Urry and Burnett plan to sell the solar storage bank on Amazon and eventually hope to sell the storage bank, and other outdoors products under the Kogalla brand, in brick and mortar stores.

“Because we’re retired, we’re not doing it out of desperation,” Burnett said. “We’re doing it because it is fun and unique and different.”

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