Chinese phone maker ZTE has released a cut price phone that runs off solar power.

The "Coral-200-Solar" of ZTE powered with solar energy is being shown off at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. ZTE said that the phone will  go on sale in June for under $US40  and will be launched in Haiti, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.

Wang Yong Zhong, general manager of ZTE told assorted hacks that there are more than two billion people who have limited or no access to electricity and this phone is for them.

A charge of one hour in full sunlight would offer 15 minutes of talk time, the companies said, but you could also plug it into the mains if you like.