Articles: Solar Energy

Portable solar power is energy produced from sunlight using a generator having a size that can be moved readily from one place to another. The majority of portable solar power units use photo-voltaic panels (PV panels) in some capacity. The sizes range from amazingly small to large ones that need to be moved on a flatbed trailer or truck.

There is a possibility you may already be using portable solar power without realizing it. Here are six different sizes and styles of portable solar power stations:

1. Pocket calculators have made use of portable solar power for years. Expose the calculator to sunlight and it stores solar power for later use.

2. Garden lights, or lights around a swimming pool now use portable solar power. If you want to rearrange your lights, or you decide to carry one as a flashlight, the portable solar power goes with you.

3. A multi-purpose portable solar power unit is a fold out solar panel that can be carried in a case the size of a day planner. Wherever you take it, you can open the panel to charge your cell phone battery, GPS or similar devices you carry.

4. Powerfilm products are paper thin PV panels. These products can easily charge almost all Lithium, NiCad or NiMH batteries. You can recharge batteries for boom boxes at the beach or while camping. You can recharge your digital camera or camcorder while on a hike. As long as you have sunlight, you have portable solar power.

5. Flexible PV panels, rugged and durable provides portable solar power for hikers and campers. This portable solar power can be rolled up like a sleeping bag, and then set up anywhere. You can drop it, step on it, dampen it while crossing a stream and it will still provide power.

6. Larger portable solar energy power stations can consist of one or more photo-voltaic panels (PV panels), simple wiring for the input jack, and a battery sometimes referred to as a power pack. A commercially produced portable solar power unit like this may also include a small fluorescent light and connector for your vehicle's cigarette lighter plug.