• EcoFlow is taking pre-orders in the US for a hat that features solar panels in the brim.
• The hat can generate up to 12W of power and is IP65 rated.
• EcoFlow says a phone can be charged in four hours when connected to the hat.

Anybody who thinks renewable energy isn’t getting more affordable may want to take note of EcoFlow’s latest product, a hat that has solar panels on the brim. Yes, solar power has become so affordable, you can wear panels in a hat.

The EcoFlow Power Hat (real name) measures up to 24inches and features Perc Monocrystalline Silicon panels on the brim. The hat can generate up to 12W (plus or minus 1W) of power and features a USB Type A and Type C port for charging. The maximum output is 5V 2.4A and the hat is also IP65 water and dust resistant.

The Power Hat is marketed as a way to keep your tech charged up while you’re out and about and it makes sense. However, EcoFlow reckons a smartphone with a 4 000mAh battery will take three to four hours to charge assuming the solar panels are operating at peak efficiency.

The hat weighs 370g and is available in medium (56 – 58cm) and large (59 – 61cm) sizes.

For now the Power Hat appears to be available in the US only with pre-orders being collected all of this month and delivery set to happen in September.

The hat is priced at $129 (~R2 389) but EcoFlow is knocking $50 off of that price and charging just $79 (~R1 463) for pre orders. That’s a lot of money to spend on a hat to be sure but considering this is a hat that can charge your smartphone we suppose the price is somewhat justified.

This seems like a good product. Sure, it’s a bit expensive but if you’re going to be spending time outdoors and you didn’t charge your smartphone the night before, this may be a good solution.

It’s not clear if the EcoFlow Power Hat will come to South Africa but we’d argue that a product like this would do really well, especially in Summer. Of course, the price is a bit high but we suspect that we’ll soon start to see a lot more of these sorts of hats from off-brand manufacturers soon.

EcoFlow’s Winter sale is currently happening until 19th August and you can get a more robust power solution which includes a Delta 2 and 220W portable solar panel for R19 999. Just don’t try wear that on your head.