Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors
  3. News

Keep the lights on and your phone charged off the grid with the SolarHome 620

By
BioLite SolarHome 620 | Outdoor Recreation
Your phone’s dead and the power’s out? No problem! Ideal for vans, campervans, or during power outages in any modern home, BioLite brings you solar-powered lighting and charging in a small, shoebox-sized package. The
Recommended Videos
SolarHome 620 was designed for off-the-grid living, providing both necessities and entertainment amenities via solar power.

The SolarHome 620 is mechanized by an easy-to-install 6-watt solar panel that captures and stores the power of the sun, and that is meant to be mounted on a rooftop in an area that receives direct sunlight. The panel transfers solar energy to the control box, which is affixed to an interior wall. The control box is powered by a 20-watt battery and includes an integrated LED display. From the display you can monitor your SolarHome 620 system, hook up extension cords for exterior devices, and even play music.

The control box includes a battery reading, which shows how much power you have available and allows you to monitor the sun intake in real time. You can listen to the radio or play your own MP3s directly from the box. Bonus feature? The control box serves as its own light, bright enough to guide you down the hallway to the bathroom at night.

The SolarHome 620 includes two interior hanging lights with wall-mounted switches, from which you can adjust the level of brightness depending on the time of day or power availability. In addition to the hanging lights, the kit comes with a motion sensor light to allow for an added measure of security in your home, alerting you to visitors both wanted and unwanted. The motion sensor light is designed with a security mode that lets you to save power when needed.

1 of 4
biolite solarhome 620 solarhome620 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder
biolite solarhome 620 solarhome620 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder
biolite solarhome 620 solarhome620 3
Image used with permission by copyright holder
biolite solarhome 620 solarhome620 4
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition to sending power to interior and exterior lights, the SolarHome 620 control box features USB outlets so that you’re never without power to your phone, which is especially crucial during an emergency. The combination of safety, and essential and creature comforts, makes the SolarHome 620 an unprecedented solar power kit ideal for use in any home, whether you’re living in the suburbs or on the road. This product is already in use in over 5,000 homes across western Kenya.

You can purchase your own SolarHome 620 for $150 on the BioLite website.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Amanda Ellis
Amanda Ellis
Contributor
Amanda is an outdoor junkie and digital nomad with an insatiable hunger for gear. Based out of Raleigh, NC she travels to…
The best golf apps for iPhone and Android: 8 best ones in 2023
smart golf club

If you play golf, then it's likely you live and breathe golf, and like everyone else, you're probably always looking to improve your game. Hiring a coach and other methods are great ways to improve, but have you considered starting out by downloading an app? Golfing apps are some of the most advanced applications out there and make heavy use of artificial intelligence and GPS to both track your movements and analyze your swing. Golf apps can track an enormous amount of data about the way you play and can help you to turn those bogeys into birdies. Here are the best golf apps for iPhones and Android phones.

Looking for more useful apps? Check out our lists of the best Android apps and best iPhone apps you can download today.

Read more
Goal Zero’s new Skylight is an LED palm tree for emergencies
A Goal Zero Skylight shining LEDs lights into a darkened hallway.

Goal Zero is expanding its lighting range today with a backup LED system called the Skylight. The Goal Zero Skylight is an all-in-one set that includes a 33Wh battery built in and six LED panels that can blast out 6,000 lumens all told.

There are four brightness settings available, if that much light is overkill for your needs, and the panels can angle outwards as needed to cover a larger area. Combined with the 12 feet of telescoping available from the tripod, you can cover quite the range with visibility. A handle with a one-button release allows you to quickly deploy the Skylight for outdoor work or play, and stakes stored in the legs give you the option to keep it in place. A dedicated spool stows the charging cable when you're not using it, and a carrying case is included to store and move the whole kit.

Read more
The best electric bikes for 2023
Aventon Pace 500.3 with rider on it

Whether you're wondering what the fuss is all about with e-bikes, or you're an enthusiast shopping for a new model, the options have never been broader. There is an e-bike for just about anyone who wants to try electric two-wheeling, whether you want to spend $500 or $5,000. Using e-bikes for commuting is an eminently practical and cost-saving alternative form of transport for some people, but most riders choose e-bikes for fun and adventure.

Here are eight of the best e-bikes available today, from our favorite overall pick to more specialized choices for every type of rider, whether you're looking for something fast, portable, and just more affordable.

Read more