Researchers Test a Low-Cost Solar Charger for Villages

A small team of researchers has built a solar charger that can power phones and lamps and costs very little to make.

The charger was tested for a month in three villages without regular electricity. Families said the lamps helped children study in the evening.

The team plans to share the design for free, so that local workshops can build the chargers themselves.

The next test will look at how long the device lasts in rain and heat.