Photos: Gadgets go green at Greener Gadgets

The Solio Magnesium is a hybrid solar charger that packs 5 watts' worth of solar panels with a lithium-ion battery. The company started as a way to reduce the waste associated with all of the wall chargers that people get with electronic devices.

The company also has a social mission. It is looking for ways to use its solar chargers in developing countries. For example, the company has equipped a person in East Africa who rents cellular phones. Rather than carry around lead-acid batteries, the company now relies on a solar charger, according to Daniel Porras, the vice president of sustainability at Better Energy Systems, which markets Solio products. It is also looking to use solar chargers for lighting because kerosene lamps are frequently used in developing countries, which is a serious health hazard, Porras said.