Portable Solar Powered Products
Most portable solar power devices use solar photovoltaic cells which produce electricity when they are exposed to light. They usually consist of panels containing two layers of different materials. When exposed to sunshine or another light source, one of the layers becomes positively charged and the other becomes negatively charged. This produces an electric current.
You can then use this solar electric power in whatever way you choose. You can charge your MP3 player or make a pot of coffee! The strength of the sun and how long the solar power device is exposed will impact the amount of electricity a solar cell produces. A solar power cell generates electricity faster when the sun or other light sources are brighter and a device with larger solar panels will produce more electricity than one with smaller panels.
Some solar cells produce only enough current to power small electronic devices. When you are shopping for portable solar power, you will find that different devices have different "watts" ratings. To select the correct solar device, determine what watt rating you need.
To find out how many watts you need, look at the output rating of the adapter. It should tell you how many watts the adapter generates. If it doesn’t contain this information, then it should contain the ratings for amperes (amps) and volts. Remember that bigger solar panels usually supply more wattage and will power your devices more quickly.
Some companies sell back-up batteries to go with your solar cell. These batteries can sometimes also be charged from a wall socket or from a car charge adapter. You may want to have a solar cell that you can use while you are hiking or traveling, such as a flexible panel that can be carried on your back.
This way, you can charge your small equipment or a backup battery while you are busy enjoying yourself. Keep in mind that while a solar cell performs best in bright sunlight, your other equipment usually doesn’t. Some solar cells come with a long cord so you can put your camera or laptop in the shade while they are charging.
Portable solar power can make life safer when you want to get away from it all. As the technology makes these units cheaper and more compact, it will become even more convenient for consumers. You can now have electricity whenever you want and wherever you want it thanks to sun power.
