How portable solar panels work

Unlike solar panels you might place on your roof, which are set in a fixed rigid frame and sealed under glass, typical portable solar panels are usually wrapped in protective covers made of mesh fabric or plastic. Small, inexpensive (under $50) panels will produce 5 to 50 watts of power, while larger ones can produce 300 watts or more - the same as regular rooftop solar panels. Smaller panels are typically single silicon solar cells, while larger panels may have two or three panels when foldable.

These panels come with a simple jack or set of jacks to output power to a variety of devices. You may find a DC output jack and a USB port that allows users to charge their phone or laptop directly. For the most part, portable solar panels are paired with portable lithium-ion batteries, so their energy can be used under any conditions. (However, you can't charge the battery while in use.) Batteries can have a wider range of output devices, from standard household 120-volt AC power outlets to DC output jacks.

While the output of some larger panels can be equivalent to that of regular rooftop solar panels, portable panels are not meant to replace rooftop solar panels. By design, they lack the structural integrity and voltage regulation of a properly installed rooftop solar system.
On the other hand, installing portable solar panels takes just a few minutes, requires no permits or inspections, and doesn't have to worry about damaging your roof.
All solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are made of crystalline silicon wafers that absorb sunlight. Light from the sun (photons) releases electrons from the silicon material, creating a current along the electrical conductors in the cell (hence the name "photovoltaic"). The current flows out of the battery in one direction (direct current or DC), directly into the device that receives direct current (such as a battery), or indirectly through an inverter to produce alternating current (AC) for most household use.

The main uses of portable solar panels

Because the panels are portable, they are often used by campers, travelers, or anyone who needs a power supply when they can't connect to the grid. But because they come in so many different sizes and costs, they also have a variety of other uses.

1.camp

Camping and hiking are probably the most common uses for portable solar panels. You can attach larger panels to the top of a van or RV as an alternative to a portable generator. Unlike noisy, smelly generators that burn fossil fuels, batteries charged by solar panels are clean, quiet and odorless. Since even the larger panels are portable, you can leave them out in the sun while your tent, camper, or RV stays cool in the shade.
If you're going on a week-long hike in a remote area and want to charge your phone for GPS or emergencies, small solar panels that can fit into your backpack can keep you in touch with civilization. Larger panels can weigh 25 pounds or more, so they're better suited for car camping than hiking the entire Appalachian Trail.

2.boating

By placing the solar panels on the deck or other flat surface of the boat, you can use the electricity stored in the battery to run the electric motor. The panel also acts as a canopy to protect you from the sun when you're at sea. When paired with solar cells, solar panels allow you to navigate without the noise and smell of wind or gas motors. As long as the sun shines, you can sail almost indefinitely without refueling stops.

Special portable Marine solar panels can be used for solar boating, as they need to withstand corrosive salt water and harsher weather conditions than campers are likely to encounter.

warn If your panel is exposed to light, it will generate electricity, so to avoid electric shock, use common sense first. Do not submerge it, bend it, Pierce it, or destroy it, do not expose it to heat or flame, and do not take it apart. If you need to clean, use a slightly damp cloth that does not contain soap. Read the user manual for additional safety warnings.

3.Apartment life

If you live in an apartment and your landlord is reluctant to install solar panels on the roof, you can consider a community solar farm or install portable solar panels on your balcony to generate your own electricity. You can take the panel with you when you move it out.

4.Power failure

If you work from home and the power goes out, your modem and router will also go out, so if you can't access your wifi hotspot, you won't be able to access the Internet. However, with a solar-charged backup battery, you can continue to run your modem, router, and laptop until the power is back to normal. There are also portable solar panels, specifically designed as solar-powered laptop chargers. Depending on the size of the battery, you can also run a small dorm-sized refrigerator to prevent food or medicine from spoiling.

5.Think outside

You can keep outdoor structures like a greenhouse or hot tub warm, light a patio or backyard play area, run a pump on a fountain or bird bath, or power outdoor holiday decorations without having to power them from home.

6.Reduce your carbon footprint

If you get electricity from a grid that is not 100% clean, renewable electricity, you can reduce your carbon footprint by using solar panels to run some of the things in your home that require electricity. You can reduce your electricity bill and make sure you're using carbon-free energy.

What to look for when buying portable solar panels

When buying portable solar panels, here's what to look for.

1.Efficiency

If space or weight is an issue, for example on a backpacking trip, compare the efficiency of various solar panels. The efficiency of a solar panel is measured by its ability to convert sunlight into electricity. Panels with an efficiency of more than 20% are quality products. More efficient panels require less space to generate the same amount of power as larger, less efficient panels, but may cost more. If space or weight isn't an issue, don't waste money on efficient panels, because low-cost, inefficient panels get the job done.

2.Buy what you need, not what you want

Know what you need and don't buy more. You can calculate how much energy you need using a simple energy calculator that will tell you how many watts different appliances use. Check the voltage requirements of any gadget. For example, most laptops require a constant power supply of 19 volts.

3.Understand your installation needs

Watt is a unit of power. It measures how much energy a device consumes or produces at a given moment. You need a solar panel (or battery) that can produce 100 watts of power to light two 50 watt bulbs.
wh is a measure of how much energy is used in an hour. If you want to keep two 50-watt bulbs lit for 10 hours, you'll need a solar panel (or more likely a battery) that can produce 1,000 watt-hours or 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh). There is not necessarily a one-to-one relationship between watts and the number of watt-hours a device can output. For example, the 2000 watt target Zero Snowman solar generator can provide 1500 watt-hours.

4.weight

Weight is not only a factor in the panel's portability, but also in the amount of electricity it is likely to produce, if only for practical reasons, if you will, you are more likely to move around a lighter solar panel than a heavier one that follows the sun's path throughout the day, making it produce more electricity.

5.Other notes

Portable solar panels are undoubtedly a cleaner source of electricity than most alternatives, but to make them worth the investment, consider the financial value and convenience.