Anton/Bauer, a brand of the Vitec Group, debuted the Solar Charger battery charging system at NAB 2009. The Solar Charger is designed to efficiently charge any battery in the Anton/Bauer product line through solar cell technology. Weighing 8 lb., the charger case connects to a 4-foot tube of solar cells capable of bringing a battery to full charge nearly as quickly as those chargers connected to AC mains.

The Solar Charger is capable of charging the Anton/Bauer Dionic 160 battery in four hours when full sunlight is available. The Dionic 90 battery reaches full charge at 3.5 hours, while the HyTron 140 reaches peak performance in three hours. Pro Pac Logic Series charges in 1.5 hours, HyTron 50 in two hours and the TRIMPAC Logic Series in one hour.

“The Solar Charger is a special product that addresses the needs of anyone dealing with remote-location video capture,” says Michael Accardi, president of Anton/Bauer. “Documentary, ENG, archiving and training applications will benefit from greater flexibility when choosing locations, as the charger is no longer tethered to an AC source. Also, the range of capture opportunities has been dramatically increased, enhancing production and creative options. The charger is also an eco-friendly product, fitting into today’s energy-efficient consciousness.”