DOST offers free solar charging in C. Visayas

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Central Visayas is offering solar charging of gadgets for free.

A solar power-charging kiosk was recently opened at the DOST-Region 7 office in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.

“This is a simple technology that may be very useful for them with or without the existence of electricity. It works like a mobile phone power bank built with a socket to plug the charger of a device, only that it has a bigger capacity and makes use of solar power to charge its batteries,” Edilberto Paradela, DOST regional director for Central Visayas, said.

Solar power-charging kiosks were first deployed in Leyte in 2013 for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda. These kiosks are still available at the Philippine Science High School in Palo, Leyte; Sogod, Southern Leyte; and Barangay Mancilang in Madridejos, Cebu.

These kiosks can simultaneously charge 20 mobile phones, 10 rechargeable flashlights and two laptop computers.