The affordable Emerald charges up your mobile phone with the sun

Generating solar energy is now a lot more affordable, thanks to the efforts put into the development of a cheaper portable solar panel, powerful enough to charge up smaller devices like the mobile phone. Made by Three University of Michigan engineering students, the Emerald also works as a personal light source. On a single solar powered charge, the Emerald can power on its lights for a good eight hours. Also, this one charges up phones as quick as any outlet hooked on to the electricity grid. The device costs below $20, and is made for developing nations.

This could work just great in far flung areas of the world where electricity is a scarcity and more of a luxury and without grid connections.
[Engadget]