Thanks to advances in photovoltaic solar panelling, this summer sees the first fully solar-powered speaker and charger system take a step away from the trouble of batteries and power sockets and put an innovative foot forward for modern day ethical travel.

Launched by minispeakers.co.uk, the K3000ST Solar retails at less than £100 and is suitable not only for charging your iPod but it also offers the alternative of solar power to a number of other portable devices from Apple including the new iPhone and iTouch (operational for some cameras and mobile phones too).

Marked as one of the ‘must have’ gadgets for this year, the solar speakers are turning what’s hot under the sun into what’s cool for the summer. The travel speaker works via two photovoltaic panels – or PV cell – which are set into both sides of the portable device that is held by a hinge and opens much like a flip-down mobile phone. But best of all, the K3000ST uses only what’s natural to generate its energy.

Once opened, the sun’s radiation can be received by the solar charger adapter and left out to soak up all that eco-friendly free energy whilst you soak up the sounds, sound, or the great feeling of being outdoors in a greener summer.

The robust, high quality travel speaker is already recognised by Macworld Magazine with an editor’s choice award as well as being rated as a five star ‘best buy’ by The Sunday Times. The docking speaker, which measures at just 123.6 mm wide x 48.6 mm high x 48 mm deep, weighing only 420 grams, offers its users 2 x 1.8 watt of solar power output and the freedom to take their music anywhere in the world.

The solar speaker pack, which comes in a tough zip-up carrying case, includes the speaker itself, a durable flip-up solar charger – and for on those cloudy days – a universal main adaptor.

This new travel-size docking system means that if you’re relaxing on a sunny secluded beach or out and about in the Great British Summer, there is no need to reach for a pack of batteries or even to turn back for a power socket, your music can keep on playing by simply plugging your iPod into the docking bay and letting the sun do just what’s natural.

The charger itself is highly functional and can be attached to any travel bag or rucksack, hung from a window, or simply left open anywhere there’s sunshine – perfect for use in all sorts of adventures (even if its one in the back garden).

The solar pack costs £95 plus p&p and can be ordered direct from Minispeakers.

Posted under Cars & Transport, Gardening & Outdoors, House & Home, Lifestyle & Fashion, Paid For Products, Product Innovations, Renewable Energy