Charge Your Cell Phone if in Death Valley

Now I am not one to go against new technology, especially in the solar field, but sometimes I just don't get it.  Take for example Sanyo's Eneloop Portable Solar panels, which can charge portable devices through a USB connection.

This tote bag allows the charging of batteries for most mobile devices and comes with, I kid you not, a flashlight.  (Why would you need a flashlight for a solar panel?  Isn't the sun, aka the world's biggest flashlight, necessary to work?)  The book size solar cell weights 8-15 ounces and can be hung from a window.

But folks you can't just use the solar panel alone to charge you iPhone.  No, since the solar panel has no storage battery you also need to purchase a Eneloop Mobile Booster (2.5 ounces) containing a lithium ion battery.

Now here's the kicker.  It takes 1.5 to 3 days to fully charge the lithium ion battery! Yes, this solar cell takes at least 40 hours of sunlight to fully charge.  But, maybe I am looking at this wrong.  Sanyo suggests that this product not be your main source of juice for the cell phone but possibly a back up.  One hour of sunlight will allow that iPhone to get enough juice for 20-40 minutes of use.

The Portable Solar panels goes on sale August 10 in Japan with no specified price from Sanyo.  Best of luck Sanyo, but I just don't think this will sell