I have a small solar battery charger I got from C. Crane Co. catalog. It's only $14.95 and is a small unit, but it charges the NiMH batteries in a good sunny day and I keep a bunch of them charged ahead. The NiMH are good because you can top them off and charge and they don't take a set like the NiCads do. Less fussy. They had a bigger unit for huge bucks but I decided to get this unit to try out. It's worked so far for me and I may get a couple more just to have on hand.
The catalog is full of wonderful gizmos like wind up flashlights and radios. Perfect for times of no power. They even have a wind up camp lamp. Neat idea and I may have to try one.
http://www.ccrane.com/
I keep a half dozen of those outside solar lights so if we lose power I can still see what's outside. Those were Wally World clearance stuff. Two legged varmints are less likely to hit a place that's lit up. I hate having to think about such things, but we do have to today. Even in Good Ole' Remote Rural Maine.
Our early warning system operates on dog food. Our two Jack Russell's named, and I hang my head in shame at the lack of originality, Jack and Russell. They bark like mad when something gets near but they quiet right down when told to so I can check out what caused the ruckus.