If you live in England, you can expect an average of 2 hours’ sunshine per day this month. It might not sound like much, but it’s enough to charge your phone using a small set of personal solar panels.
Whether you use your mobile to plot routes, run cycling apps or call on our cycle rescue service, it’s all for nothing if it runs out of juice.
We’re giving away a small set of solar panels to recharge your phone while you’re on the move, whatever the weather.
The panels generate up to 1A under direct sunlight, which is stored in a battery capable of replenishing a smartphone up to 10 times on a full charge.
Attached to a bag for charging on the go
Win a solar panel phone charger
To be in with a chance of winning the solar panels, simply leave a message below and we’ll pick a name next week.
Cycle Rescue
It’s an unfortunate fact of life that bicycles occasionally break down; even the shortest journey comes to an abrupt halt following a puncture, broken chain or buckled wheel. It’s why over 25 years ago we launched Cycle Rescue – the UK’s first breakdown cover policy for bicycles.
How much does bicycle breakdown cost?
Cycle Rescue is a snip at £24 per year with no hidden extras to pay if your bicycle suffers a breakdown.
How does bicycle breakdown cover work?
If you suffer a breakdown of your bicycle (including punctures) while out cycling, or are unable to continue due to an injury, our 24-hour Cycle Rescue team is on hand to arrange transport for you and your bicycle to a safe location. If you would prefer to arrange a taxi for yourself, simply send us your receipts and we will reimburse you for the costs (subject to terms and conditions). We cover e-bikes as standard – you can even call us out if your battery runs flat.
ETA Cycle Rescue – think of us like your own personal broom wagon
Can I get bicycle breakdown for my cycling trip to Europe?
Yes. If you decide to venture further afield, Cycle Rescue cover includes the rest of Europe for up to 90 days per year. All for only £24 a year – or included free when you buy our cycle insurance.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
DarC
Yes please!
A very useful piece of kit indeed, could be a great back up for when there’s a power cut too.
Jon Vamplew
Solar Charger – “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make phone happy, even when grey, you never notice how flats the battery until you take my sunshine away” = no flat battery with super solar charger,
Nathan Shipley
You’ve got to be in it to win it.
Jack Peterson
This would be great, my dynamo hub is now toast.
Paul S
Just what I need to keep the bike camera charged!
Skippy (the bush kangaroo )
Down under where I live, this piece of kit would be ideal 🙂
Arry O’Rourke
Great competition, handy for more than just cycling such as hiking and camping
Chris Laming
Got any details of what make? If I don’t win I’d like to buy one anyway.
Jill
£41.99 on Amazon. A useful addition for any trip
Tracy
I’ve often wondered how well these panels work ….. winning would be a great way to find out.
Nick Barber
This will allow me to shine some sustainable energy onto my tech game
Sarah Colquhoun
👏🏼 great idea…….especially if also escaping to Spain for a cycling holiday……imagine the possibilities with all that sun!!
Liz MacGregor
This would be perfect for me as we tackle some long-distance paths – my phone’s battery doesn’t quite last long enough so the track at the end of the day can take a bit of guesswork.
Sara Garside
This would be brilliant for our micro caravan. Carry on camping! Thank you
Andrew Smith
Great kit like this will be invaluable in our up coming expedition plans.
Rob Lewis
A set of these panels would be perfect for cycle camping – where can I buy them if I don’t win?
Helen
Sound perfect for camping too …
Rhoda
This would be so useful to have when hiking
Chris
Would love to have this kit
Vinnie
I doubt two hour sunlight would be enough to charge my ‘phone. Anyhow if you send it my way I’ll let you know how I get on.
david
I’d love to try one.
John
Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine oh how I long for the summer
Paul Docherty
This looks great for cycle touring.
marie elizabeth Convery
If i won this i would like to try and run a portable Midge destroyer for my Scottish trips …
Merryn
This would be ACE!
Andy Brown
You are my sunshine
Bikepacking Beevers
Perfect for my US trip later this year
Lawrence
This would be great for my longer cycle rides.
Steve
Would be great for touring!
Tim Bolton
This would be great for long summer rides when I use my phone for navigating.
Boyd
Free sustainable electricity – yes please!
Paul
Solar powered communication has to be the next best thing after face to face communication
Steve
These would be so useful!
Gavin Wright
Great idea! I’d just have to hope for more sun, up here in the Scottish Highlands…
Mark B
Very useful. I’d give this a go
Elisabeth Edwards
What a brilliant invention! I’d love to win this, so my OS app will always guide me.
Owain
Perfect solution!
Steve
Great product! Thanks ETA!
Peter
What a brilliant device and really useful for those few days a year when the sun comes out in Britain 🤭
Gavin Capel
This looks great, I’d love to win it and take on some adventures!
Fran
Ideal for those longer trips !
Yousaf Mirza
Looks amazing! What a great gadget.
Jennie
This would be amazing! Especially cycle camping !
Carol W
Great idea for a bit of bikepacking 🙂
Alastair
Would work well here on the east coast – plenty of sun for power
Gina
An excellent idea, especially when so much information is now routinely provided on apps and webpages instead of paper and features that use location settings can be a drain on the battery.
June Reed
Fabulous piece of kit. It would encourage many to view the bigger possibilities, and you have to start somewhere………. I’d love it anyway!
Jenny C
Bring me sunshine ☀️
deadmanjones
Ah, festival season
Pamela
Wonderful for my cycle tours – its always sunny of course?
David Fisher
That would also charge up my blue tooth speaker that I use on my cargo bike for music when delivering prescriptions and groceries.
Keith
Looks like a really useful bit of kit.
Les Gunbie
Love what you guys are doing – keep up the good work 🙂
mike
It’s obvious this could be a sunny and electrifying experience.
Philip GREGG
Ideal for cycle-camping trip planned for Catalunya!
Mark Brown
I live in the country side and already have solar panels on my roof so to have a way of charging your phone for free at home or out and about makes complete sense. So yes please I could make good use of them.
Tobi James
Yes please
PeteG
Great kit to keep charged on the go.
Anna Green
Yes please!
Janet
I’d love to win this. So useful.
Frank Holcombe
Perfect for when my rides exceed my batteries…!!
SB
In a portable pack, it’s a star,
Solar panels on bike rides afar.
As you zip ’round each bend,
The phone charges without end,
Pedalling and powering, raising the bar!
Paul Hudson
An excellent idea we all need to use the sun as much as we can.
T
Yes – “Here comes the sun”
Alan
Count me in! Looks like a perfect fit for a phone. The room I work in has a south facing window. I might never have to plug the phone into the mains again!
Steve K
Looks great for charging phones and cameras, Yes Please!
Su
This would be wonderful – what a great idea!
Dave
Lovely stuff
Julian
Obviously, by having a set of these and never unfolding it you’d guarantee a fine sunny day’s riding 😉
Gary
Yes please – earlier versions I’ve tried have not been very reliable, and we have major charge anxiety!!! 😁
David R Francis-Lowe
sounds good to me.
Jill
A very useful tool to have.
Nigel Andrews
That’s a great Solar Charger. I would like to win one!
John Darby
Who thought saving time, money, energy and the planet could be done whilst you’re on your bike? Love it! 😍
Kerena
We’re cycling the Hebridean Way in a few months to raise money for Maggie’s Cancer Centres – I’m not sure how much sun we’re likely to see in May in the Outer Hebrides – but every little helps right?!
Jennie Parsons
Really useful on a long day- ideal ‘ range anxiety ‘ cure!
Rachael
This would be some per useful for when out and about!!
Jim O’Sullivan
I’d love to have one of these
Rachel
Looks like a great piece of kit.
David Gray
Bring on the sun!!
Susan
Great way of ensuring phone is kept topped up especially in remote areas where the signal is weak and the phone uses more power on hiking or cycling trips.
Andrew
Great idea!
Bryn Gwyndaf Jones
How very useful, particularly as I’ve had a stroke.
Mags
Sunny side up every time! Would love this for travelling, hiking or cycle touring. A great prize.
Paul
Yes please, looks incredibly useful item to have for cycling, walking, any number of other things.
Peter
Here comes the sun
Peter Chisnall
Excellent!
Anthony Rogers
The holy grail of travellers, a solar charger for the phone. I have bought them in the past and they have never charged my smart phone. This one looks more potent.
Anita Brayford
This would be very useful – I’d love one!
Fred
Brilliant bit of kit.
Lonnie
Hope the sun keeps shining
Clive
Need more green ideas like this.
John Howson
Very useful even in winter when out walking
Inge
Need! ❤️
Martin Baker
Yes please. If you can also supply some sun with it. 🌞
Moragh
This would be a really useful item for me.
Kelly smith
These would be very useful 🙂
Peter
Perfect for me down on the south coast!
JohnB
Oh yes please!
Simon B
I like the design and colour scheme of this product. Could you provide details of make and model (or a link) so that those of us who don’t win the prize know what/where to buy please? Thanks.
Jonathan Hunt
Sorry everyone. I’m entering too, which reduces the odds of you winning. But massively improves my chances from 0.
Karen Beaumont
This’ll smarten up my phone.
Andrew McKellar
Another good idea and a great competition from the ETA.
Mark
What an interesting prize, which would be very useful, particularly for users like myself of iPhones with older batteries in them!
Colin
I’ve always wanted something like this . . .
Gavin
Our friends electric…
Mark Holling
Planning for long days out on the bike both locally and abroad means this kit would be a game changer.
Karl Wallendszus
Very handy – I can think of lots of uses for this.
Jim W
Solar is the future, to match my electric bike.
ChrisB
This looks so useful, would love to win a set of these solar power panels.
Andy
Be great to try this out
Sarah
What a great piece of kit. It would be good for giving me peace of mind on our longer cycle adventures.
Bill
This would be extremely useful on camping trips!
Gordon May
I’ve been thinking of getting one so I can work from my allotment in the summer.
Phil
Pick me
Jamie J
Hope this means that I can stop carrying that bloody great big windmill on my pannier rack…
Richard Barrett
Looks like a very useful bit of kit for use when I’m away touring! Yes please.
Iain Shanks
This would be great for cycling and hiking.
Simon Pemberton
Looking forward to some sun & this charger would be lovely x
David Sinden
Ooh, being able to recharge camera batteries when they are nearly run out after a full day cycling and taking pictures would be fantastic – even just enough for that one, last amazing shot!
Chris Johnson
Off to Norway cyclecamping in the summer, and this would be great for keeping my phone charged.