Here is a prototype of the solar panel implementation. In principle the system works, but...
I used the flexible panel from Sundance Solar, the B-plug from Radio Shack and a diode I had. At about 9 1/3 eV illumination the red charging light comes on. So I left it under a flourescent light over night with an illumination of 11 eV (which corresponds to f4 1/125" at ASA100). This corresponds to an overcast day outside. The Reader started out with 2 out of 4 dots for the battery, however in the morning, after 13 hours of illumination it was still at 2 dots.
A few things I learned:
First, with the efficiency of this module it only works outside in the sun. So no charging inside, not even enough on an overcast day in the northern latitudes outside.
Second, you would have to deposit your reader all day outside.
Third, it does take a lot away from the beauty of the reader.
Fourth, if one could integrate one panel in the front AND one in the backside of the cover AND use the hinges to make electrical contact to the reader it could be a nice system.
For now I am not pursuing this, the panels are too expensive to buy another one and I am not ready to modify the hinge mechanism, as it might void the warranty...
