The Sego charger: origami meets solar energy for off-grid living

The Sego Charger, inspired by NASA designs, is a foldable solar panel that aims to transform the way travelers access photovoltaic energy

A pinch of origami, mixed with a little bit of science and the creativity of former NASA engineers, that gives birth to Sego, the solar panel that folds up like a piece of paper but delivers impressive efficiency. Born in Utah, the creation by Sego Innovations can shrink to one-eighth in less than a second. Compact, convenient, and indispensable, it seems to be made to order for the lover of freedom from routine, the camper in the boonies, or simply one living off-grid. Folded, it is so compact that you can nearly fit it in your pocket.

Origami has been used in many projects at NASA and helps solve a lot of complicated engineering questions, including designing foldable structures for space missions. For the Sego Charger, the founders took that very same kind of philosophy to heart: weighing in at only 3 pounds, it shrinks in an instant into one-eighth of its size. It is just over 8 inches when folded, making it simple to store in a backpack.

The new panel is versatile and powerful

The Sego Charger comes with SunPower solar cells, sealed within an IP67-certified build, which means dust and water resistant. It has a 25-watt capability and is best suited for small devices to charge; it, therefore, proves very useful for daily use and, indeed, in cases of emergencies. Sego Innovations has further announced its intentions to create more heavy-duty versions with capacity ranges between 50 to 400 watts, to cater to higher power requirements. It is currently available on Indiegogo at a promotional price of $289.

The Sego Charger has received positive reviews within a few months. Last month, Sego Innovations redesigned it to allow better ribs on the panel, which hugely enhance its durability, but shipping delays are still expected. Here is one game-changer for portable solar energy-a practical and sustainable solution for those in search of access outside the electric grid.