CNET and lots of other tech blogs and websites are all over  Novothink’s new iPhone and iPod touch Apple-certified Solar Surge charging case, which we first told you about here back last September, with most of the reports and hands-on reviews of the just-released product being very positive. According to HippyShopper.com, which specializes in green consumerism, the Novothink Solar Surge is the best of the current batch of iPhone solar chargers, fitting very neatly around the phone, and with just two hours of direct solar exposure being able to provide approximately 30 minutes of talk time on a 3G network or 60 minutes on a 2G network. It also comes with a free Solar Planner app that estimates your solar needs based on your iPhone 3G usage. For those days when there’s not much sun, the device is packaged with a USB connection so that you can charge and sync your iPhone or iPod touch the old-fashioned way. And, aside from saving on electricity, it has to be said that it certainly looks very stylish too!

The Solar Surge is currently available in the US for $79.95 for the iPhone version and $69.95 for the iPod touch version. It’s presently only available in black and white, but new colors such as metallic blue and green (of course!) are on the way. The charger will also soon be available in Europe for €80.