Fosera have introduced in Liberia the Suncharger solar battery charging station. The charging station is designed for existing shop owners to supplement their income by renting rechargeable AA and D size batteries. The system also comes with a light so the shop can stay open longer at night. Many customers use single use cheap Chinese batteries for flashlights and radios. These batteries are then disposed in the environment where they can poison drinking water as well as animals and children. By using rechargeable solar batteries customers can save money because they are cheaper to rent, the shop owner can make an extra income and the environment becomes less polluted.
In Liberia so far 10 of these systems have been installed around the Todee district. They also have the ability to charge several mobile phones, a much-needed service in rural areas. The systems come with an extra large solar panel so that plenty of mobile phones and solar batteries can be charged during the day. Some shop owners reported charging 20 phones in one day. The rechargeable batteries are used for flashlights and for radios and can last 3 to 7 days depending on how they are used. The customer then returns the batteries and borrows a new one.
