The Solio hybrid charger is the brainchild of a company known as Better Energy Systems.  Better Energy Systems has received numerous awards for its designs and engineering feats, including winning the “Best of Gear” award from National Geographic for the Solio device.
 
Better Energy Systems was founded in 2001 in the United Kingdom, which is where it is currently located.  Its engineers strive to think “outside the grid” when developing eco-friendly electronics devices.  According to the company’s website, its goal is to help create a “massive shift in energy delivery and infrastructure to combat global warming.”

The Solio charger serves as the company’s flagship product and has made quite an impact on how we view the potential of solar energy.  In fact, this handy little handheld device can pack away quite a bit of stored energy, bringing sustainable power to just about any setting.

Better Energy Systems currently offers three different versions of the Solio charger.  These include:

• Solio Classic
• Solio Hybrid 1000
• Solo Magnesium Edition

The Solio Classic is capable of charging every type of handheld electronic product.  It also offers versatility to the user because it is able to gain power through solar energy or from an outlet.  Either way, the internal rechargeable battery can be charged up and then used to power all of your handheld gadgets and gizmos.  So, whether you are going for a jog around the block and need some power for your iPod or you are going on a two week hiking trip, you will still be able to get the power you need for your handheld goodies. Even better, the classic can hold its charge for up to a year and a typical charge will provide most cell phones with two complete charges or can power an iPod for 20 hours.

The Solio Hybrid 1000 can be powered up by the sun or by a USB port from your computer.  If you are still in the dark ages and don’t have a computer with a USB port, you can purchase a Global Wall Adapter from Better Energy Systems in order to get your charge from an outlet.  The Solio Hybrid 1000 is more compact than the Solio Classic and comes with a built-in cable and carabiner.

The Solio Magnesium Edition is the most advanced version of the Solio line of products.  This model is iGo compatible and utilizes the most efficient solar panels and offers the greatest battery capacity of all three models.  This model can be charged up from an outlet or from the sun.

While the Solio isn’t free, energy from the sun certainly is!  So, rather than spending your hard-earned cash on a charger that can only be juiced up from an electrical outlet, why not go green with a charger that provides more options and flexibility?