There has been an exponential hike in the use of solar panels in recent years. And this has only happened for one very simple reason – the price has come down. Becoming ever more affordable, solar panels have joined many other new forms of sustainable technology, from the electric car to the USB rechargeable lithium-ion battery, in finally seeing wide acceptance and mass appeal. It has been estimated that gas-powered vehicles will no longer be produced after 2030, and new tech companies such as Pale Blue Earth out of Park City, Utah are becoming ever more common as they answer the new consumer demand for these kinds of technologies and products.
But the interesting thing about solar panels isn’t just that they are now becoming a common sight on the roofs of new and old homes across the world. They have now become portable too. While portable solar panels are not such a new technology, just like the other examples mentioned, they have finally reached a market price that allows for mass consumer appeal. Accordingly, portable solar panels are becoming increasingly popular. But what exactly are they?
What are Portable Solar Panels?
To understand what a portable solar panel is (and why they are becoming so popular), you need to understand what a solar panel is as it is essentially the same technology. A solar panel is, fundamentally, an assembly of photovoltaic cells designed to convert light into electricity or heat. These cells are made up of thin layers of silicon and, as you can probably guess, the more of them there are on a solar panel, the more energy can be produced.
You might think this poses a problem for portable solar panels, some of which are indeed no bigger than an electronic tablet. Nevertheless, the technology has been refined to such an extent that even these small solar panels can produce enough energy to recharge phones, keep a light running, and supply emergency power where it is needed. It is for this reason that portable solar panels are often associated with travelling. It’s usual to see a portable solar panel attached the back of the backpack, charging up when not in use. Bear in mind though that “portable” solar panels can vary quite a bit in size. A solar panel attached to a car, for example, is still considered portable.
Sizes and Wattage
Portable solar panels can vary a lot in size, but generally they are categorized by their power output, with the smallest panel offering 45 watts. A 45W solar panel is considered “mini” and is used to power things like cell phones and music players. In the mid-range are 120W panels, which can power LED lights and even small appliances like mini fridges. The larger panels can even be used to heat water in remote places and power a range of different appliances.
Advantages and Applications
The great advantage of portable solar panels is, of course, that they are portable. Accordingly, they frequently come with a waterproof kit and are perfect for supplying much needed power in off-road settings. They are also totally green, which is a major appeal in today’s market for these types of products.
Yet this technology has a range of other applications, too. Portable solar panels can be used to charge the battery of a car, which means they can be invaluable for motorists who may get caught out by a depleted battery.
For travelling and other applications alike, portable solar panels are becoming a hot product – and it seems likely that we are only going to see more of them.
