Photovoltaic keyboard

A photovoltaic keyboard, or solar keyboard,[1][2] is a wireless computer keyboard that charges its batteries from a light source such as the sun or interior lighting, addressing a major drawback of wireless computer peripherals that otherwise require regular replacement of discharged batteries.

On such device is the Logitech K750, which was announced by the company in 2010. In 2018 Microsoft filed a patent describing how solar panels could be used to extend battery life for Microsoft's Surface Pro.[3]

Logitech K750

The Logitech K750 has a set of photovoltaic cells on the top edge, charges from any light source including sunlight and under a standard bulb, can work up to three months in total darkness, and includes software to display battery charging status. It is a full-sized keyboard, including the usual movement keys and NumPad section on the right side, with low-profile keys much like a laptop.[4] There are two models, compatible with Windows or Macintosh operating systems.[1][5]

Even though the keyboard is not officially supported in Linux, a third party application named Solaar provides functionality akin to the original Logitech software, such as battery and connection status indications, and allows device pairing/unpairing.[6][7][8][9][10]

Logitech K760

Another Logitech keyboard, the K760, is also PV powered. It is smaller than the Logitech K750 and communicates with the computer via Bluetooth. It was positively reviewed by David Carnoy of CNET, who praised its sleek, stylish design, and its ability to be seamlessly integrated with Apple products. Although he found it slightly bulky to carry around and criticized the lack of carrying case provided by Logitech, he concluded that in the long run, it would save a user money, and was a better deal than Apple's Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard.[11]

References
  1. Biggs, Jogn (2011). "Logitech K750 Is The World's First Solar Keyboard". techcrunch.com. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  2. Fingas, Roger (2011). "Review - Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 Review". macnn.com. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  3. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/10528083.pdf
  4. Estrada, Maren (June 29, 2018). "The wireless keyboard that lasts forever without new batteries or recharging is back down to $40". Boy Genius Report. Archived from the original on July 1, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2023 – via Yahoo! Finance.
  5. Clancy, Heather (2011). "Green Gadget of the Week: Logitech solar keyboard for Mac". zdnet.com. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  6. "PWR-Solaar/Solaar". GitHub. 27 May 2022.
  7. "Photovoltaic Wireless Keyboard Test" (in German). Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  8. "'Solaar' Lets You Manage Logitech's Unifying Receiver on Linux". 8 March 2022.
  9. "Logitech's Solar Powered Keyboard is Just What We Need". 2010. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  10. "Logitech's Latest Innovation: a Wireless Keyboard Powered by Light". 2010. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  11. CARNO, DAVID (June 16, 2012). "Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760" (in German). Retrieved 2020-03-23.


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