Solar Charger Peace Corps Discount
Congratulations on your acceptance into the Peace Corps! We are excited for you to start your journey and are happy to extend a Peace Corps discount to help provide power throughout your service. The discount provided is valid across our entire website* and can be used to purchase portable solar chargers, external battery packs, and Voltaic accessories.
For gear recommendations or product compatibility, please visit our Solar Chargers for Peace Corps post or include the items you want to keep charge in your email to our team.
Contact Us for Your Peace Corps Discount
To obtain this discount code, simply email us a copy of your Peace Corps acceptance letter and departure date to: sales@voltaicsystems.com
*Discount not valid on the Arc 10W and Arc 10W Kit systems.
Original post updated: May 2016
Hello,
My name is John and I’m a PCV departing for Benin in September. I’m attempting to send an email to forward my proof of acceptance and get the discount but I’m having trouble connecting to the link on this page. Can you provide me a specific email address instead?
Thanks,
John
sales [at] voltaicsystems [dot] com
Hi John, I believe we already received your acceptance letter and responded accordingly, but in case anyone else is reading this they can always email us directly at support@voltaicsystems.com
Hi! I’m going into the Peace Corps in Madagascar in June. I’m a photographer so I need my macbook for editing. My camera is a Nikon D610. I also have an android phone and I’m not sure yet if I’ll have an iPod. I may also buy some things rechargeable batteries and lamps. Any advice about all of that would require?
Sincerely,
Hillary
Hi Hillary, feel free to reach out to our support team to ask for any specific recommendations for your gear.
In the mean time, our V72 laptop battery should be able to keep your macbook charged, as well as your phone and camera.
Check out this guide for MacBook charging: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/solar-macbook-charger
And this guide for DSLR Charging: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/solar-camera-charger
Hi!
I will be serving as a peace corps volunteer in March in the Dominican Republic, I am looking for a solar charger that will charge my ipad and iphone.
Also what email should I send my acceptance letter to for the discount code?
Thank you!
Hi! I’ll be going to Mozambique in just about three weeks, and I’m looking for something to charge a smartphone, an ipod, and a kindle paperwhite. I’m also hoping for something not too expensive.
I was wondering if you could explain the difference between the Amp Solar Charger, and the 2 Watt Solar Charger Kit. I know the amp would probably charge things faster, but are there any other significant differences? Do you have to buy anything else to go with the solar charger kits?
Thanks!
Nora
Hi,
Do you offer any discounts for people heading abroad for non-PC volunteer opportunities? I will be heading to South Sudan as a UN Volunteer, and I’m interested in the 10W kit (V72 battery combined with 3 3.4W panels) to charge my MacBook, Nook, and phone.
January 20, 2014 at 4:43 pm
Hi I’m Donna. I’ll be heading to Sierra Leone this June for the Peace Corps. I plan on bringing my HP Envy with me, which charger would you recommend for me?
Hello,
First and foremost, thank you very much for being so supportive to the Peace Corps and new PCV.
My name is Kristina Kleinow I’ve been accepted into the Science Teaching program for the Peace Corps (departure June 2014). My laptop was having trouble linking to the email link. I would have no problem sending you my Acceptance Letter, but I need an address to send it to.
I would like to be able to charge my Elitebook 8440p laptop, Kindle Paperwhite, iPod (4th gen?), and a Canon PowerShot Elph510HS Camera.
Thank you!
-Kristina Kleinow
PCV Sierra Leone
Hi Kristina,
Send the acceptance letter to sales@voltaicsystems.com
For your laptop, you have two primary choices outlined here: https://blog.voltaicsystems.com/peace-corps-advice-laptop-charging-setups/
Either of those will charge the Paperwhite, iPod and Canon Elph
We don’t sell the adapter for the Elph, but you can get one on Amazon like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Wasabi-Power-Battery-Charger-PowerShot/dp/B004W3B3C0/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1394388421&sr=8-6&keywords=nb-9l+charger
Hello my name is Constanza I just recently accepted my Peace Corps Invitation to Zambia. I will be leaving in June but wanted to get started on getting essentials for the trip. Since in Zambia most volunteers are placed in villages with no electricity. I need a durable solar panel that I can attach to a bike and take it off when needed. The items I will be taking are an iPad iPod camera and maybe Netbook. Thank you in advance for the help. To all the Volunteers on here stay safe and enjoy this journey and always remember the reason why we choose this path.
Hi Constanza,
See here for our bicycle mounting suggestions: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/solar-chargers-for-bicycle-touring.shtml
If you want to charge a laptop, you’ll need to get either the Fuse 10W or 16 Watt Kit.
Hello,
I will be leaving for Senegal in March. I will have:
– HP Touchsmart laptop
– B&N Nook eReader
– iPod Touch (5th gen)
– Nikon Coolpix camera
Please advise the best package and adapters needed to charge these devices.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Renee,
If you’re bringing a laptop, you’ll need one of our laptop charging setups which will also charge all these other items. These are the two we recommend: https://blog.voltaicsystems.com/peace-corps-advice-laptop-charging-setups/
In addition, if your Coolpix does not charge from USB, you’ll need a cradle specific to that battery. Let us know what that battery is, should be something like EN-EL12 and we can advise on that adapter.
Hello,
I was wondering if I am able to receive the discount code for Peace Corps volunteers. I will be leaving for Ghana in about 3 weeks and I just found your website. Is there anyway you would be able to ship out product within 3 weeks?
I will be bringing a first generation Macbook, a Kindle Paperwhite, and
iPod Nano 5G’s. Do you know what would be the best package to charge all three of these?
Thank you so much for your help!,
Kenny Murray
Hi Voltaic Folks,
My name is Justin, and I’m heading off to Tanzania in February to serve with the US Peace Corps. I’m planning on bringing along an Iphone 4, Asus Memopad HD 7 tablet, HP laptop, and rechargeable AA and AAA batteries. I’m hoping to build a home system capable of charging the laptop when I get to site, but I’d like a system for charging my phone and tablet (and maybe the batteries) prior to leaving. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Hi Justin,
For the phone, Memopad and AAs, we like the Fuse 6W. You can splurge on the V39 upgrade, but you should be set with the standard V15. For the AAs, we like the Sanyo AA USB charger – http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B004UAG776
Jeff
Hi Jeff! Thanks for the advice. Will the V15 really be capable of delivering a full charge to the MemoPad?
Hi Justin,
The two batteries are about the same size so you’ll probably get closer to 75% of a charge to your MemoPad on a full V15 (there is typically about 25% loss going from battery to battery). /jeff
Hi,
I’m going to Senegal with the Peace Corps this month. I’m planning to bring a first generation macbook air, an iphone, a kindle and portable ipod speakers (which can take AA batteries). any suggestion for the type of solar charger I should get? Thanks a lot (and I’ll send along my acceptance letter before purchasing)
Hi Carson – I would suggest either the Fuse 10W or the 16 Watt kit. See the comparison here: https://blog.voltaicsystems.com/peace-corps-advice-laptop-charging-setups/
For the Mac, you’ll also need our optional MagSafe adapter, see: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/mac
Your Kindle will run off of the USB port included with the Fuse 10W or 16 Watt kit.
For AA batteries, you need to get: http://www.amazon.com/GP-Charger-Pre-Charged-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B003BOSPL8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1378734854&sr=8-2&keywords=gp+usb+aa+charger
Best regards,
Jeff
Hey Voltaic Friends!
My name is Brandy and I’ll be leaving for Lesotho, Africa in October this year. If you scroll down and see a comment from Matthew Merritt, just a heads up we are going to the same country…at the same time! Anyway, I’ll need to charge my MacBook Pro, Ipod shuffle, Blackberry (not sure what model yet), and rechargeable batteries for headlamp/digital camera/ battery operated things, and Kindle. I’m thinking the Voltaic Universal Labtop battery is going to be the best choice. Any other suggestions?
Thanks for helping us PCVs out! Much appreciated.
Peace.Love.Happiness.
-Brandy
Hi Brandy,
If you’re going to be charging a MacBook, you will definitely need a laptop battery like the V60. See: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/mac
Jeff
I purchased a Voltaic backpack prior to going off to Central Asia years ago and got a laptop generator a year and a half ago.
The products are amazing and the company values, ethic and workmanship are simply astounding. I couldn’t believe the discounts they offered to me as a PCV! I don’t why they aren’t more popular, they definitely deserve more recognition! These guys are on the cutting edge…
This site is awesome! Thanks so much for helping us out! I’ll be leaving for Lesotho, Africa this October and will be bringing a HP Pavilion laptop, a droid 4 cell phone, a kindle, and a DSLR camera. What options do you suggest? I can also send my invitation if requested. Thanks again!
-Matt Merritt
PCV Lesotho
Hi,
I am leaving for Peace Corps service in Tanzania, and am planning to bring a netbook, smartphone, and ipod. What sort of solar charging system would you recommend? You guys are wonderful for offering such a generous discount!
-Ben Welna
Hi,
I’m leaving for Benin in June as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I have an Acer Aspire AS5560-8480 15.6-Inch Laptop, do your products support it, and which one do you recommend? Trust me when I say, all of us Peace Corps volunteers are grateful for this offer. I can email my acceptance letter asap.
Thank you!
Hi Pape,
For a laptop, we have two setups we recommend, read here for more details: https://blog.voltaicsystems.com/peace-corps-advice-laptop-charging-setups/
For your Aspire, we have a new adapter we just came out with. Be sure to add our optional computer adapter: “E” 5.5×1.7mm to your order.
Send your acceptance letter into sales@voltaicsystems.com for the discount code.
Best regards,
Jeff
Hey! I am also leaving for Sierra Leone as a Peace Corps volunteer this June. I will be needing to charge a Cannon Power Shot SX500 IS, a Peace corps cell that I will get in-country, a HP Pavilion dm1z laptop, kindle, and an ipod. It’s awesome that you are helping us out with this! Not only is packing confusing, it is getting expensive too.
Thank you,
Laurel
Hi Laurel,
Congratulations. Laptops are the hardest and most expensive things to charge. If you can skip that, there are a number of inexpensive options like the Amp that will charge cameras.
If you have to bring the laptop, see: https://blog.voltaicsystems.com/peace-corps-advice-laptop-charging-setups/
For the camera, get the NB 6L cradle here: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/solar-camera-charger.shtml
Code coming via email…
/jeff
OK great, thank you. This might be a dumb question but if I get the Fuse 10W and the camera cradle would I need to buy anything else to make it work? Tech stuff isn’t exactly my thing…
thanks again
Nothing more. We do suggest testing everything out before you leave and give us a call if everything isn’t 100% clear. My extension is 706.
Hey,
I bought everything you recommended, and I’m having a hard time figuring out how to charge my Ipod. Do I need another attachment?
Hi Laurel,
We hope to get you working smoothly.
Please plug the white cable that comes with your iPod into the USB port on the silver battery. Then press and hold the power button for 2 seconds. Your iPod should start charging. If not, can you try a different USB device? Also, we can provide more consistent support here: http://support.voltaicsystems.com/customer/portal/emails/new
Thanks,
Jeff
Hello!
What an awesome offer for PVCs! I am a Peace Corps Volunteer scheduled to leave for Sierra Leone this June. I will be needing a charger for a Canon Powershot SX500, a cell phone provided by the Peace Corps as well as a Chromebook (netbook) and iPod. I am able to submit a copy of my letter of assignment upon request.
Best regards,
Taylor
Hi Taylor,
If you’re doing a Chromebook, then you’ll need one of our laptop charger solutions, see: https://blog.voltaicsystems.com/peace-corps-advice-laptop-charging-setups/
For the SX500, you’ll need an NB-6L camera battery cradle, see: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/camera
The phone will charge from any of our systems.
Thanks,
Jeff
Greetings!!
I am so excited to learn about this awesome Peace Corps discount! My adventure will be taking me to Sierra Leone this June. I am looking to charge a Canon Powershot A2300, a cell phone (issued by the PC so I don’t know what it’ll be), my iPod, and if it doesn’t up the price/weight too much, a netbook. Thanks so much!
Paige
iPod and cell phone are straightforward and can be charged with any of our chargers. The Amp and Fuse 4w are our least expensive, and very portable chargers.
https://www.voltaicsystems.com/amp
https://www.voltaicsystems.com/fuse4w
If you add a netbook, you move up quite a bit in size, cost and weight.
To charge the battery in the A2300 (an NB-11) you need to remove it from the camera and charge it from a cradle. You can order the camera cradle from here: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/camera
We’ll email you the code directly,
Jeff
Hello,
I am leaving for Burkina Faso on June 1st (2013). I am looking for a solar charger for my 11″ mac book air, my Panasonic Lumix camera, and my Kindle (and cell phone if possible). On behalf of all volunteers, THANK YOU for your assistance! I will be happy to email a copy of my acceptance letter.
Thank You,
William Hernandez
Hi William,
We’ll send you the information to your email address privately.
For your devices, we suggest either the Fuse 10W or 16 Watt Kit, see here for the comparison: https://blog.voltaicsystems.com/peace-corps-advice-laptop-charging-setups/
Also, https://www.voltaicsystems.com/mac for more information on your Mac
Finally, let us know which model Lumix, you’ll likely need a car charger cradle, see: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/camera
Thanks!
Jeff
Hello, I’m heading to Zambia in February, and am looking for a solar charger for my ipod (touch) and camera. What would you suggest? I really don’t need anything super fancy.
Thanks!
The Fuse 4W or Amp would work well. What model camera? We suggest reading our camera guide here: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/camera
Fuse 4W is here: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/fuse4w
Amp is here: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/amp
My name is Jen, and I’m bound for Vanuatu with the Peace Corps. I’d like to bring my MacBook Pro (13.3″, i7/4 GB memory; purchased 2011) and would be very grateful for your suggestions about which of the external batteries to purchase–we’ve been advised that solar may not work at our sites, especially during cyclone season.
I’m mostly confused about how to charge the Universal battery from a generator–I’m worried about damaging the battery.
As you can tell, I’m teaching English and not IT, so I’d be grateful for any help you can provide.
The only battery that will work with the MacBook is our V60 battery + MagSafe adapter. It should roughly double your run time.
https://www.voltaicsystems.com/v60
https://www.voltaicsystems.com/adapters.shtml#magsafe
More on MacBook charging is here: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/solar-macbook-charger.shtml
For the sunny season, you could pair the V60 battery with our 16 Watt panel to charge from solar.
https://www.voltaicsystems.com/16watt
If your Generator has an AC outlet (like a wall plug), then you can plug directly into the Generator. Alternatively, the generator may have a female car charger socket (like in your car). In that case, you could use our “12V DC Charger”
https://www.voltaicsystems.com/adapters.shtml#chargers
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff,
Would the AC adapter you provide be able to cope with the 220v current in my country of service? I’m told that the generators will output at this voltage and I’m concerned about burning out the battery, especially if the power spikes.
My thought is to use a surge protector to prevent burnout–so the question is whether I can use a surge protector that outputs at 220v or whether I need to use one at the US standard, in which case I’ll also need to get an adapter, to prevent burning out the surge protector.
Do you have comments or suggestions?
Thank you!
jen
Hi Jen,
The AC charger does accept both 110 (US) and 220 (EU, lots of other places) Voltage. That will not harm the battery. I’m not that familiar with generators, but depending on how sophisticated they are, the Voltage can “spike” – in this case, a 220V surge protector (probably available locally) would be a good thing. If it does per chance burn out on the Generator, we can send you a replacement although it may be a bit slow to get there. We try to support our Peace Corps customers wherever they are.
Jeff
Hello,
I’m leaving for Burkina Faso next month with the Peace Corps. What would you recommend to charge a Dell/Alienware laptop, kindle, and a Nikon D40? Would the backpack charger suffice?
Thanks!
Chris
Hi Chris,
Congratulations. Alienware laptops are pretty tough as they tend to consume a lot more power than a normal laptop, especially the new class of ultrabooks and other efficient laptops. What exact model number Alienware? Is it a must?
Kindle and D40 are pretty straightforward, any of our solar chargers from the Amp or Fuse 4W on up will charge them. For the Nikon D40 you’ll need our EN-EL9 cradle to charge the battery. Read more about camera charging here: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/camera
It’s an Alienware M11X R3, their 11 inch laptop. I usually average around 6 hours battery time. I have an Energizer XP18000 external battery that will extend the battery life to about 12 hours, and that’s with running photoshop/watching movies, fairly demanding stuff.
That’s pretty good runtime. I was afraid you were talking about a 17″ or something. In that case, I think you could do well with either the Fuse 10W or the 16 Watt Panel + V60 battery + 3511-Extension Cable. A number of people in Peace Corps are mounting the 16 Watt panel on roof of abode and connecting to the V60 battery inside. The Fuse 10W is more packaged, the 16 Watt panel gives you more power. /jeff
Hello,
I’m leaving for Senegal in a month with the Peace Corps and I’m wondering the best solar charger for an Ipad? Also what % discount does Volatic offer?
Thank you!
Jamie
Hi Jamie,
We generally recommend the Spark for iPad charging which provides about 1 hour of runtime for every hour in the sun on the iPad 1 and iPad 2, about 40 minutes for every hour in the sun on the iPad 3. If you have a bit more time, I think the Fuse 4W with an upgrade to the V39 battery (see the tablet compatibility section of the Fuse4W page for details) would also work and would be a bit cheaper.
We provide a 30% discount for Peace Corps volunteers – send in your acceptance letter to sales@voltaicsystems.com and we’ll send you the code!
http://www.voltaicsystems.com/spark
http://www.voltaicsystems.com/fuse4w
Jeff
Hello,
I am looking for something to charge my iPhone, nook, and canon rebel…I am also leaving in a week so I am wondering if it is even possible to get your product before August 31?
Thanks,
Joseph
Hi Joseph, Our Fuse 4W would work to charge each of those devices. We ship orders received by 12 Noon Eastern the same day and ship from our warehouse in NJ. We can definitely get it to you by August 31st, but you might have to choose 3 Day if you are on the West Coast.
Which model Canon Rebel? If you can figure out the battery model inside, say NB-2L or LP-E6 then you can get the right camera cradle. See our camera charging guide here: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/camera
Hi,
I am interested in something that will be able to charge a kindle, phone, camera (Canon – PowerShot SX260 HS) and Ipod what would be my best option?
Kate Racy
Hi Voltaic-
I’m going to be leaving for Benin with the Peace Corps in June and I was wondering which of your chargers would work with a 2011 macbook air 11″? If possible, it would also be great to use it to charge other small electronics (i.e., a cell phone or something similar).
Thanks!
-Sarah
Hi Sarah,
We would reccommend either the Fuse 10W or the 16 Watt panel + V60 battery. In both cases you will also need our optional MagSafe adapter. Learn more about MacBook charging here: https://www.voltaicsystems.com/solar-macbook-charger.shtml
Both systems will charge your MacBook plus smaller electronics. The Fuse 10W is better packaged and is easier to manage any charging cables and attach to a backpack. The 16 Watt panel + V60 has more power (60%) and will charge electronics faster. You could also potentially mount it on the roof of your dwelling.
Here are all the links:
Fuse 10W – https://www.voltaicsystems.com/fuse10w
16 Watt Panel – https://www.voltaicsystems.com/16watt
V60 – https://www.voltaicsystems.com/v60
Reconfigured MagsSafe – https://www.voltaicsystems.com/adapters.shtml#magsafe
Hey Voltaic!!! I am in Zambia and am using your charger in my village EVERY DAY! It is amazing, very robust, and the absolute best purchase I made to prepare for my service. Everything else I brought with me has proved to break or be useless in time… my charger goes with me everywhere and honestly would recommend your product not just to fellow Peace Corps volunteers, but any true outdoorsman or anyone who plans on spending any time travelling around the world. You can depend on this product. Solar panels are cheap and inexpensive here, but can’t hold a candle to the quality you all provide. Makes me so proud that I can rely on American products still to be the finest in the world. Mwendangahu Mwani!
Hi Bryan & Voltaic! I’m also leaving for Zambia in 7 weeks and I’ll be using a solar charger to power my phone, ipod and camera. Which product did you purchase? I’m concerned because both cameras that I’ll be bringing require multiple AA batteries – will a solar charger work for rechargeable batteries? Recommendations would be WONDERFUL!
Thanks!! Kirsten
Hi Kirsten,
Any of our chargers will recharge NiMh AA batteries, but you will need an optional charger like this one from eneloop:
http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B004UAG776/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333045109&sr=8-1
Thanks,
Jeff
My daughter is leaving for Benin in June, I’d like to give her something to charge her iPad and iPhone.
Kindly advise.
Hi Rick, the Spark is probably best suited for charging the iPad. If you’re looking for something that costs a bit less, you could pair the Switch or Fuse 4W with the V39 battery upgrade. Send us an email to sales at voltaicsystems dot com with a copy of the acceptance letter and we’ll provide the discount code. Thanks, Jeff
We are leaving to serve in El Salvador in the spring and have a acer iconia tablet a500. What solar charger do you have to work for us?
Do you have any recomendations?
Neil y Viole
Hi,
The Iconia requires 12 Volts so you’ll need to get one of our laptop chargers for it to work: the Fuse 10W, Array or Generator. In addition, you’ll need our optional 3.0×1.0mm adapter as this is the right plug size to connect to the Iconia. Does that make sense?
Jeff
I am going to Cambodia with the Peace Corps in July. I would like to try to make sure my Samsung RV511 notebook, Nikon P100 and Canon SD750 remain charged if I don’t have access to electricity. Will your 15 volt solar charger work with my equipment? If so, I’ll send a copy of my invitation via email. Please advise.
–Joyce Jenkins
I want to thank your company. I am a PCV in Senegal (West Africa) and just place my order for a generator bag. I intend to use the MP3450 with it.
One question, could I purchase one or two of the 15 watt panels to put on the roof of my house and run a cable down to my room and charge off of the roof panels? If that would work, any chance you know of an outdoor enclosure that would work with your 15 watt panels?
Thanks for your support,
Kerry Johnson PCV Thies Senegal
Hello,
My name is George Helling and I’m headed to Guinea on July 7th with the Peace Corps! I’m interested in something that will be able to charge a lap top and small electronic devices like a camera and cell phone. Thanks so much for your contribution to Peace Corps volunteers! I’d be happy to e-mail a copy of my acceptance letter, I just wasn’t sure about the email to send it to. Thanks again,
-George Helling