How to choose solar chargers and portable power supplies?
Whether backpacking into the wilderness or living off-grid in a car (off-grid means your power generation system has nothing to do with the national grid), we often go into nature in search of secluded solitude, away from the stresses of the modern world. But at the same time, we are increasingly reliant on electronic devices such as smartphones, cameras, or satellite equipment to help us reach our destinations, enjoy local life, or provide assistance in emergencies. The growing use of personal electronic devices outdoors creates a need for portable power sources to charge them. Portable power devices (also known as power banks, battery packs, portable chargers, or battery storage units) have built-in rechargeable batteries that allow you to charge them outdoors. This article will help you match the portable power technology and solar equipment best suited for your travel power needs. Here’s a look at the power supply chain, different types of power sources, solar charger types, and tips for charging solar power.
Power supply chain
Understanding the basic components of the power supply chain is an important step in finding the right technology for different needs. In short, a power source (household power supply, car power supply, solar power, etc.) is needed to charge portable power devices and then power electronic devices (such as smartphones and lights) in the wild.
AC (wall socket)
DC (car cigarette lighter)
Charging Storage: Portable power devices are used to store energy; these devices range in size from handheld power banks to high-power power stations that can run small appliances.
Use electronic devices that store electricity
satellite equipment
action camera
Power source
Listed below are several power sources for direct charging of portable power devices or electronic devices. The most common power supplies are ordered from fastest to slowest:
- AC (wall socket)
- 12V DC (car charger)
- USB (any source: wall, car, computer)
- solar panel
- Battery
The key to travel planning is to make sure all batteries and devices are fully charged from the wall plug or in the car before hitting the road. But if you're off the grid and don't have access to electricity, there are some options. Solar energy is the most common off-grid power source. Photovoltaic (PV) cells on solar panels absorb sunlight energy and convert it into electricity. This current can charge a device directly or it can charge a portable power source. If your electronic devices use more power than your portable battery can store, consider using solar panels as a supplemental power source. If you are traveling off-grid for a long time and need to charge your devices multiple times, solar energy is the best choice.
Solar Charger Type
One of the benefits of a solar charger is that it uses renewable energy. Portable solar chargers come in different configurations, which refers to where the collected power is converted into electricity and output. Some solar panels fold for easier storage and travel and come with built-in stands; others can be installed in fixed positions.
Here are several common types of solar panels:
Small/built-in solar chargers: Some personal devices have small built-in solar panels that can recharge themselves, such as flashlights or power banks. These generally require full sunlight to work well. It typically takes several days of direct sunlight to fully charge such a panel.
Panel-only solar chargers: These solar panels do not have batteries to store power after they are converted to electricity. To convert and store the collected energy, you need to purchase a compatible portable power source or power station. Solar panels can be whole or folded. From medium-sized, lightweight (1-2 pounds) panels suitable for mountaineering, to larger, heavier panels (or arrays of panels) capable of powering small appliances or emergency preparedness. Some battery panels can be plugged directly into small electronic devices (such as mobile phones) to directly charge their built-in batteries, or they can be plugged into a separately purchased portable power supply or portable power station for charging.
Solar panels with built-in batteries: Some solar panels provide electricity storage through built-in batteries. These batteries are generally small and cannot store much power, but they can generally charge mobile phones. This combination is more suitable for situations where electricity consumption is low.
Tips for Choosing and Using a Solar Charger
What size solar charger do I need? The main factor to consider is what size solar panels to purchase based on the type of travel. The larger the panel, the more sunlight it can collect at once, and the faster it can be converted into electricity stored in the battery. This value is measured in watts. The wattage value on a solar panel is the maximum power it can produce under ideal conditions - that is, the panel is clean, facing the sun, and there are no clouds blocking or casting shadows on the panel.
Portability and weight: Consider what kind of trip you’re taking. Hikers may want solar panels that are light and compact enough to fit in a backpack. Car travelers may not be too concerned about weight.
Output Capacity: The power of a solar panel measured in watts. The higher the number, the more power generated in a given time.
Semi-rigid or rigid: Today’s portable hiking solar panels are often semi-rigid styles. It can be bent slightly, but not rolled up like some past styles. Most of this style also come with a few attachment points that can be attached to a backpack or boat for charging, or attached to a tent while camping.
Some larger off-road or car camping models have rigid frames that are easier to set up toward the sun, and can also be mounted on the roof of a car, but are difficult to angle to keep the sun in the sun. In order for solar panels to be effective, they need to be exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time. Some activities such as bike tours are suitable for recharging on the road. If you can adjust the panel to face the sun, hiking in open areas will work too. But if you’re hiking in the long shade of a dense forest or in a dark canyon, strapping a solar charger to your backpack won’t make sense.
If you are car camping or sailing, then it is suitable to choose a large (or heavy) and relatively simple (but expensive) one. If you were backpacking, how large and heavy a battery panel would you be willing (and able) to carry? Weather and other environmental conditions: Is there enough light? Consider environmental factors such as weather (is the route usually sunny or often cloudy?) and geography and terrain (dense tree tops, deserts, mountains, canyons, valleys, etc.).
Solar panels only reach maximum efficiency under perfect conditions. Cloudy weather, heavy fog, and other factors will limit the charging efficiency of the panels, and terrain factors such as being in a dark canyon (does the canyon run east-west or north-south?), in the shade of trees, or in the shadow of mountains, will effectively shorten the available sunlight time. Although the panels will still produce some energy in partial shade, the efficiency will drop significantly.
The time of year has one major and two minor factors on solar panel efficiency:
The main factor is the length of the day, which determines how much sunlight is available in a 24-hour period. If winter is shorter consider purchasing larger (higher power) panels.
A secondary factor is the angle of the light. To most efficiently collect solar energy, the panels should be oriented perpendicular to the direction of the sunlight. As the sun moves across the sky, the panels must constantly adjust their angle.
Another secondary factor is the low angle of winter sunlight. In summer, sunlight reaches the ground (panels) from high altitude through the atmosphere. When sunlight is kept at a low altitude angle, it passes through more of the atmosphere. The atmosphere contains large amounts of particles (moisture and dust) that block the photons that create solar energy. Low altitude angles also increase the chance of sunlight encountering ground obstructions (trees, mountains, etc.) creating longer shadows.
Portable power supplies and portable power stations
Generally, solar chargers are best used for charging portable power sources (battery packs) rather than charging electronic devices directly. Why? Solar panels generally have no circuitry for current to flow into electronic devices. If you plan to skip the portable rechargeable power supply and charge your device directly, it's best to refer to the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure that USB can directly charge small electronic devices.
What is the difference between a battery pack and a portable power generator with solar panels? The storage capacity will determine whether the product is a battery pack or a power station. Portable battery packs refer to smaller units used to charge personal devices such as smartphones. Capacity is measured in milliamp hours (mAh) and provides lower output. They are best suited for short-term power needs. Portable power stations are larger, high-capacity devices that can be used to power small appliances or as emergency backup power. They are designed to charge multiple devices at the same time and usually have a USB socket, an AC (standard "wall socket") socket, or a 12v socket.
Key specifications for portable power supplies
Storage capacity tells you how much power the battery pack can store to charge your device later. Capacity is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), ampere-hours (Ah), or watt-hours (Wh). To convert watt-hours to ampere-hours, use this formula: Wh ÷ Volts = Ah (for milliamp-hours, multiply the result by 1,000). By comparing the storage capacity of the battery pack to the capacity of the battery in the device, the number of available charges can be determined.
For example, consider a smartphone battery with a capacity of 3,000 mAh. A battery pack with a capacity of 6,700 mAh will provide approximately two full charges. As a starting point, use this formula: (Device Power Requirements) x (Number of Charges Required) = (Power Capacity Required) iPhone 14 Battery Capacity 3200 mAh x 2 Full Charges = 6,400 mAh
Tip: The efficiency of transferring energy from one battery to another is not 100% conversion efficiency. Therefore, a battery pack with a rated capacity of 2,000 mAh cannot charge an electronic device with a rated capacity of 1,000 mAh twice.
Deciding which portable power source to bring?
Length of trip: For weekend trips, a portable power source may be more than enough. But once used up, it becomes ineffective weight. Traveling off the grid for a week or more may require a solar charger or other generator.
Travel Mode: For solar chargers to work effectively, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight is required.
Some activities, like bike cruising and ocean kayaking, are perfect for charging with solar power while on the road. If you can point the panel toward the sun, then hiking might be appropriate. However, if you're hiking in shady areas like woods or valleys, a solar charger won't be as effective. Battery type: If your electronic device only uses AA batteries, consider using a solar charger that can charge backup batteries while the device is in use. This way, two sets of batteries can be used to charge in turn, rather than carrying spare batteries.
Niuess Solar Generators for You
Niuess NE-1200 portable best solar generator
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