Company Announcement - Freeplay Energy, the leading manufacturer of self-powered, clean energy technology for people living off-grid, has launched a brand new product: the Energy Hub. The Freeplay Energy Hub is designed to provide much-needed light and power for families, small businesses, schools and communities who live without reliable access to a regular electricity supply. It is also an ideal item for inclusion in emergency preparedness kits for those living in regions where extreme weather can result in power blackouts.

The Freeplay Energy Hub is an all-in-one solar system that powers lights, charges mobile phones and delivers energy to a wide range of portable devices. It is simple to set up, relies on a dedicated solar panel (included) and features a rechargeable and replaceable battery, a battery level indicator, bulbs with a high/low/off switch, and a USB port to enable the charging of mobile phones.

John McGrath, Managing Director of Freeplay Energy, says: “We are delighted to be launching this latest addition to Freeplay Energy’s wide range of solar and dynamo-powered products. It is tough, safe and highly efficient, and is therefore ideal for sustained use by the 1.3 billion people worldwide who are currently living without electricity. Furthermore, once it has been installed, this life-changing technology has no additional running costs. “With up to 25% of their income being spent on lighting by ‘off-grid' families, the Freeplay Energy Hub offers the potential to alleviate poverty. In addition, by replacing kerosene-fuelled lamps and candles, it can help prevent fire hazards and improve health through reduced exposure to toxins. “The Energy Hub can also help to improve educational attainment by enabling students to study after dark without straining their eyes, boost family incomes by increasing opportunities for working in the evenings, and empower women by providing a lighter, safer environment.”

The Freeplay Energy Hub is available in two models - the Freeplay Energy Hub 4 and the Freeplay Energy Hub 8. Freeplay Energy Hub 4 comprises a stylishly-designed charging unit, two 100 lumen super-bright LED bulbs with a lifespan of 50,000 hours, a 4-watt polycrystalline solar panel, a five-metre solar panel cable and a five-metre LED bulb cable. It offers eight hours’ shine time when using two bulbs on a high setting, or up to 32 hours’ shine time using one bulb on a low setting. In addition, it offers a constant voltage supply for charging mobile phones. Freeplay Energy Hub 8 also offers a stylishly-designed charging unit. However, it includes four 100 lumen super-bright LED bulbs with a lifespan of 50,000 hours and an 8-watt polycrystalline solar panel, as well as a five-metre solar panel cable and a five-metre LED bulb cable. It offers up to eight hours’ shine time when using four bulbs on a high setting, or up to 32 hours’ shine time using one bulb on a low setting. It also provides a constant voltage supply for charging mobile phones.

Under good sunshine, both models can be fully charged in six hours, with a 70% charge taking four hours and a 50% charge taking three hours. The Energy Hub is the latest in a series of new product releases from Freeplay Energy. The Encore Player range of solar and dynamo-powered radios are now providing access to information, communication and light for millions of people around the world. The Tuf radio’s dynamic styling and multiple features are attracting outdoor sport and leisure customers, as well as those living off-grid. And the Buddy radio, which was launched in March and features a seven-channel Weather Band function, is being welcomed by customers in North America.

The Freeplay Energy Hub is available in Europe from www.freeplayenergy.com. Retailers and wholesalers in the US and Canada should call Freeplay Energy’s sole distributors for North America, LEI Electronics Inc. on toll-free 1-(800) 449-3315, or visit www.leiproducts.com. Trade enquiries from the rest of the world should be sent to commercialsales@freeplayenergy.com