Baja living encourages investigation of new solar technology. Paul at Zacs recommended a starting kit of 4 panels, 24 volt battery (Surrette Rolls are the best), an Outback power inverter and solar controller. This minimal system would cost $5000. A more appropriate alternative for those with limited need and resources is to use a Honda EU2000 generator to power tools and to use a small scale LED lighting system.

d.light S10 solar lantern

I ordered the d.light S1 and S10 solar lanterns. Both are in orange plastic with a stainless wire handle. I like the compactness of the S1 but the friendly lantern glow of the S10 also has an appeal. They seem to produce the same amount of light and I assume the battery life is similar. I also ordered the barefoot power firefly. I’m not as impressed with it at the moment. The main issue is the unwieldiness of a separate solar panel that connects with a long wire. Otherwise the firefly with 12 LEDs seemed to produce about the same amount of light as the d.lights. It was nice to have the gooseneck but overall is seemed like more of a toy and less of a tool. Barefoot powers larger light systems look interesting.

I’ll probably order a half dozen S1 and see how they fare. I would like to see a compact modular rectangular  solar lamp that you could daisy chain and control with a single switch. with larger panel and battery than the S1, perhaps a brighter lamp would also be possible.

http://www.dlightdesign.com d.light S10 solar lantern $15.95

http://www.barefootpower.com/ firefly mobile lamp 55 lumens and phone charging. Powapack kits to light a hut.