A portable solar panel is on the shopping list of anyone who is into survival and hiking now. Learn about solar panels and their batteries and turn the solar energy into solar power. You can get a simple mini power bank with USB ports, for example. Consider the price, the battery type, and the battery charger mechanism to choose a solar panel for you, and who knows, maybe your next buy will be a proper solar panel for the roof?
You must have already heard about solar panels that can be used for a variety of purposes. They are mighty and convenient in many ways, which is why they gained so much popularity around the whole world. You cannot say that they are well recognized for nothing.
One can find a solar power system in many things because this mechanism has already been used for years. The latest solar system market trend is solar generators, which people like to use in their houses.
Despite the grown human interest in the mentioned generators, in this article, we will talk about solar chargers. They are essential and irreplaceable tools in the wild and in an emergency. Besides, it is also convenient to have them while camping, hiking, or doing other outdoor activities. You might ask, “Why are they so useful?”. Let us explain.
The two most important features solar chargers have are using solar energy as electric power and portability. Solar power helps devices work all while on the go so that you could carry them every day in your pocket or backpack. Whether it will be your smartphone, camera, flashlight, GPS-navigator, or something else, you will definitely not have any problems with their discharge.
I bet you are reading this article from your cell phone, or you have a telephone somewhere nearby you (presently, I might not be right every time I speak).
Be that as it may, I’m almost certain I won’t be going hungry at any point soon! Why? Since in 2016, 81% of the US populace possessed a phone! It is also forecast to be north of 82% in 2018; moreover, with the wide variation of cell phones and SunPower solar innovation development, it won’t take long to wait.
The day is coming quickly when almost everybody possesses a solar phone charger to help keep their phones be charged since there is nothing more irritating and disappointing than running out of charge right in between of the day; this makes a solar phone charger the new “must-possess” type of tech. Not to mention, every individual who sees my solar charger gets some information about it and afterward promptly goes out and gets one for themselves!
Making phone solar chargers is an astounding blessing thought (for other people or yourself); however, I will not just suggest you go out and purchase the primary solar oriented cell phone charger device you go over: one must realize what choices are out there and what makes a quality solar charger for your cell phone versus a terrible quality one.
So, today we will cover the SunPower-based telephone charger points in detail. Note that if you need our top suggestions, don’t hesitate to click right there!
Direct Solar Phone Charger Cases
Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase
This is a briefcase-sized solar panel charger and is ideal for distant campgrounds. This unit is too huge, having a truly larger surface than others, to even consider carrying it in your backpack, yet it will rapidly charge your telephone. Also, it can charge far beyond your cell phone. It can charge a power bank so you can keep your battery-controlled devices going for so long, no brainer!
Goal Zero Nomad Series
This versatile sun based board arrangement is made for simpler transportation – henceforth the name “Wanderer” or “Nomad charger.” These choices allow you to charge your phone straightforwardly, regardless of the sun’s intensity, while in a hurry, as this panel is a portable solar energy pack, and portability is always great. Moreover, it has a medium-sized surface area, and the panels can fold into each other, so it is really compact.
Convenient, rough, and ground-breaking, and it very well may be joined with other solar panels to gather more power from the sun.
This sun-powered board telephone charger is a great-planned unit. It incorporates fast charging innovation, so you invest less solar energy trusting that your tablet or phone will charge. One could take it with them on a camping trip, as it would be crucial in situations when you are in a rush and having a lack of time in charging conditions.
In any case, because of the charger’s lightweight (18 oz), you can take it with you wherever you go. It likewise incorporates double USB ports so you can charge different devices simultaneously. Moreover, it has a great design.
Solar Energy Power Banks
If the headaches of direct charging is an excessive thing to manage, a solar charger with a power bank (portable solar battery pack) might be the better thing to obtain. Adding a high-limit outside battery resolves a few defects of direct charging systems.
Power banks are typical nowadays, with limits up to 20 thousand mAh. This is everything that anyone could need to charge your telephone a few times over. Moreover, this can truly be a lifeline whenever you have a situation where you can get a sun-based charge not regularly, from day to day.
They additionally allow you to leave out from home with a full charge! Notwithstanding high-limit batteries, they additionally have great charging circuits (hardware that is far less touchy to voltage variances). This implies they will charge in somewhat overcast conditions and at low light far superior, permitting one to gather more power output than a direct system.
Perhaps above all, power banks mean one can charge where and when it’s advantageous. One can charge it throughout the day while you continue going ahead. Afterward, use it to charge your telephone for the nighttime (or at whatever point of the day is generally more helpful to you). This implies one can awaken to a full telephone charge and complete more things on the phone for the duration of the day.
Then again, a power bank does mean one more type of gadget is added between the sun and your telephone, as we referenced before. As we mentioned earlier, this actually means that you will suffer a bit more transfer loss along the way. A high-quality battery bank will minimize this loss and more than compensate for it with the available power.
Solar Power Bank Options
QuadraPro Dual USB Solar Power Bank
From a flashlight to GPS units and a cell phone charger, and other accessories, there will be a nice innovation in your auto’s emergency kit. All worthless devices without electricity! However, not so with The QuadraPro Dual USB Power Bank. It has a large 6,500mAH battery limit with double charging capacity, thanks to its solar panels.
It’s additionally tough, splash resistant, super-compact – which are ideal highlights for a vehicle survival kit that can fit onto your backpack.
Solar Charging Phone Case
Now and again, you need to go as straightforward as could be expected under the circumstances. In these cases, bearing different solar panels and cables might be an excessive amount you can manage to stuff in your backpack.
A solar charger telephone case addresses these issues. These let you flip your telephone over and set it in the sun to charge; anyway, SunPower cases are the smallest option to power production. They are no equipped with huge solar panels or high-limit power banks.
Rather, they fit more into an old quote, “the best tool for the job is the one you have with you.” Because of their small solar panels (little surface area), solar power charging cases are slower to charge; henceforth, they require a great deal of direct daylight to be effective.
Additionally, to get the case’s benefits, you should put your telephone screen down in the sun. But it makes the telephone of restricted use while charging and may overheat whenever left in the sun excessively long, so your phone may earn a shutdown.
At last, these suns oriented charging cases are fitted to specific phones. So when you change telephones in a few years, you’ll probably have to look for another charger too.
Why Should One Buy a Solar Phone Charger?
The Ideal Plan B
Firstly, let’s acknowledge the following situations, for instance:
Perhaps you lost your GPS mid-travel and had no guide. Oh no. What a pity.
Maybe you needed to catch an extraordinary moment on your camera to discover your telephone dead – passing up the ideal picture.
Or, on the other hand, more awful yet, the case when you lost sense of direction in the wild with no real way to call for help…
In any case, with a solar charger, you can get that telephone back going – anyplace. So, a sunlight based telephone charger go about as power reinforcement for typical occasions, and a lifeline type of gadget in the midst of a desperate crisis; not to mention, some solar chargers are created from several lightweight solar panels that can fold up, so they have great portability features.
As I called attention to as of now, almost everybody has a wireless phone or cell phone. Everybody (from young people to the elderly) is getting in on the act. What’s more, as you probably are aware, cell phones are far beyond “conventional telephones.” They are a:
Camera
GPS gadget
Web program
Computer game support
Recording gadget
Music player
And many others!
However, these technical devices require extensive amounts of power to operate – all while in a hurry. So, they’re planned with a battery-powered charger. In any case, those batteries run out excessively quick – frequently at badly arranged occasions and areas, you know, those far off spots without access to electrical sources.
Charger Helps Set Aside Some Cash
Using the sun’s “free” energy is amazing, but it’s not “savings” if the price of the device is in limit; well, be that as it may, as costs of sun-powered cell phone chargers fall and as your electric rates rise, you can set aside genuine cash. We are not exactly there yet to completely balance the first expense of the device (at any rate, not rapidly), and thus a solar charger can, in any case, help balance quite a bit of your underlying payments.
If you utilize your solar charger regularly, it will set aside some cash throughout a long-haul timeframe. Presently, it relies upon the amount you spend straightforward on the solar charger.
For instance, suppose it costs you $25 for the charger, and you use it regularly (day-by-day) for your devices. Now, suppose every month you had the option to save $0.25 worth in power by utilizing a SunPower solar smartphone charger regularly, rather than connecting it to your home’s source.
That math would amount to roughly $3 every year.
No, certainly $3 will not make you rich; however, the device you purchase today pays for itself gradually over the long-term perspective. This is the thing that could be called a B.T.N. venture = Better Than Nothing!
Eco-Friendly Energy
If you, in any case, need to decrease your carbon track, at that point, this is an easy decision. Using the sun’s energy to keep your phone charged helps offset your carbon footprint. Henceforth, now, there is a carbon cost to manufacture the device in any case – so it probably won’t be 100% “carbon” friendly.
Nonetheless, it is greater at compensating carbon than the wide range of various endurance equipment you purchase each year.
When Portable Sun Chargers Are Necessary
There are different outdoor activities and situations when portable solar panels play a great role. Let us consider some common examples of when and why it is so.
Emergency Situations
When you need a charger the most, the real situation is probably when you have lost your way or stuck in frosty weather and want to call for help or send an emergency message. Such cases often happen and do not always end up well. For example, there are many fatal outcomes related to people’s inability to inform rescue service about their location due to discharged phone or GPS-device. These victims may have used their vehicle’s batteries, but the latter runs out of charge very quickly.
So, carrying a portable solar panel will turn out to be an important choice that will save your life in survival mode. It will enable you to send an emergency text as well as provide rescuers information about where they should search you.
Camping and Hiking
Whenever you take a backpack with you on an outdoor adventure, do not forget to put your portable charger that uses solar energy in as well. Whether it is a hiking or camping trip, or you just want to visit a state park, a solar panel will be a really convenient gear as you never know when your battery will lower in power.
With a portable solar panel at hand, you, as a camper, can do many things. To name one, you can keep your camera always ready for taking nice pictures and shooting videos if you like. Not to mention that you can stay on track with the help of your fully charged GPS-navigator.
Fishing and Hunting
Nowadays, fishers and hunters are also not an exception among people who are better to have a portable solar panel. They need one because, apart from a cell phone, they always carry rangefinders and flashlights to catch prey quickly. And these tools have rather big power needs and require much solar energy.
Besides, these people, just like us, have their small electronics, e.g., phone or tablet, that also need to be ready to go.
Various Sorts of Solar Phone Chargers
Many solar-based charging systems are available today that are intended to keep your smartphone in control – regardless of whether at the seashore, while outdoors, or in a crisis.
And keeping in mind that each plan has its own little contort. The SunPower solar chargers will, in general, be categorized as one of three classes:
Case Chargers (no battery bank)
Direct (no battery bank)
Indirect (has a battery bank)
Picking the correct one boils down to how you intend to utilize it – and how you utilize your smartphone.
A direct charger makes things straightforward and easy. They are the best method if you intend to be in one spot during the day and aren’t on your telephone constantly.
A battery pack charger is ideal if you should be in a hurry. For instance, if you cannot stop and charge your phone until you’re back home.
Also, on the off chance that you can’t be messed with carrying around additional stuff, you may need a case charger. It naturally broadens your telephone’s battery life when you’re not utilizing it;
Well, that list was just a quick overview. Thus, we should now deeply plunge into every arrangement a little bit more. That way, you can focus on the arrangement that will turn out best for you.
Direct Chargers
Direct solar phone chargers are regularly called solar panel phone chargers. They connect directly from the solar panels straightforwardly into your telephone, using USB ports. The USB connection offers a basic method to interconnect with your telephone to the USB charging port panels. The solar chargers can charge various things: from battery packs to many other products.
A solar energy panel telephone charger is the most proficient type of sunlight based charging as well. That is because, at whatever point electricity is transported between segments, you lose some efficiency. Each transfer step has a little efficiency cost because of resistance.
These exchanges add up and consume the absolute charge access to your telephone. If you choose to go with an immediate panel arrangement, you eliminate these exchanges losses, helping one make a maximum of the charge quantity getting to one’s phone.
Direct panel chargers likewise incorporate a couple of inner parts and sensitive hardware. Assisting with making them more hearty and weather-safe, contrasted with different alternatives: this proves to be useful when one can not generally depend on the weather condition.
Obviously, there are a couple of disadvantages to adjust charging from the solar panel.
To begin with, solar panels struggle to deliver a steady flow of electrical power. Factors (for example, mists, shadows, and so on) make more grounded and more vulnerable signals over the long run. This means more slow charging and longer stand by times as your devices charge.
During this time, your telephone should remain connected with the solar charger for a bigger amount of time to arrive at a full charge; moreover, if you have a huge solar panel, you’re essentially fastened to one area.
This makes it harder and less advantageous to utilize. For instance, a single full charge could take to 5 hours of full sun. This means re-aiming the panel frequently to gather the most energetic rays for the duration of the day.
Second, the power output of a solar panel is straightforwardly identified with the approaching daylight. This means that the voltage levels will vary for the duration of the day – and even in passing mists.
Obviously, this implies more power in full, great daylight, and your telephone will charge quicker; however, in low light conditions, your charger may not make enough charge to enroll on your telephone.
Current telephones may quit charging if it feels the electrical varieties in the voltage. They do this to ensure the telephone if there is something wrong with the power surge at home. However, it can likewise keep you from charging through solar panels if the output is too unpredictable.
Have you’ve ever observed the “This device isn’t upheld” message when using a modest charger? This is because the best solar chargers are too unpredictable, and a few telephones don’t care about it. Then, the known criticism of “what about when it’s dark out?” is applicable here. With an immediate charger, you are restricted to charging during light hours, as it were. In case you’re moving from place to place or having awful weather during the day, this can discourage your charging capabilities.
The Greatest Solar Phone Charger Choice
In case you’re keen on the solar chargers for your telephone, we profoundly recommend a power bank: they are the best mix of every key element, sometimes even having great design options. Giving you undeniably more adaptability in arranging your day than different systems.
Besides, most solar battery chargers permit one to connect numerous devices simultaneously, making them significantly more time-productive in situations when you have loads of battery-fueled stuff. Their double USB ports mean one does not need to purchase another charger each time you change phones.
We have more than two devices of solar phone chargers that are our top choices – relying upon your particular requirements (others are listed in a brief FAQ section). The first is an amazing whole family choice!
QuadraPro Dual USB Power Bank
We suggest The QuadraPro Dual USB Power Bank. Why? Since it has a huge 6,500mAH battery limit with double charging capacity.
It’s also rough, splash safe, and super minimized, which are ideal highlights for any regular camping trip or any outside experience. For instance, the QuadraPro charger comes ready to go out of the box!
The slim design indicates that you can slip this power source into your pocket or backpack so you can have power while you’re in a hurry!
If you’ve made it this far into the article, you are clearly intrigued by this innovation. I convey a solar charger for a phone with me every day. I take it outdoors. I take it to work. I use it at home.
It is one of those devices you’ll most likely utilize each day. Furthermore, it might simply save your butt now and then, so make sure to get one of those best solar chargers. It’s one of my number one bits of survival gear.
It’s one of the best buys I have made as of late without any second thoughts! Furthermore, if you need to take solar innovation to a much bigger scope – look at our article on the best sun-oriented generators.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Portable Solar Chargers
We have already discussed some key points about portable solar panels but let us review their pros and cons so that you could understand the topic better. Some of them may be controversial, so there is no clear understanding of what is good and what is bad in portable panels.
Advantages:
Eco-friendly
Lightweight
Modular
Silent
In what follows, we will explain each of the points in detail.
Eco-friendly
Since portable solar panels modify the energy coming from the shining sun into electric power, there is no need for fuels or gases to generate it. You also do not have to burn wood as it was in the case of a Biolite Stove. The process of filling portable panels with solar power is entirely natural and clean. Apart from this, it does not produce any waste and has no impact on nature.
Solar energy is an inexhaustible resource that is always available and free. This is a strong advantage and a good reason to have portable solar panels.
Light Weight
It has been a long time since portable solar panels were massive and heavy. In the course of science and technology development, people have learned to create more compact and lighter gears so that we could carry and use them daily if needed. The latest models of a portable solar panel contain a lot of things inside but still do not exceed the mark of 8oz. As for their size, it is very similar to a deck of cards for survival.
Modular Solar Panel
The next benefit that you can find in portable solar panels is modularity. It means that you can connect several chargers and use them together at the same time. Such a trick will improve the performance of your solar power system and increase the amount of energy produced. You will be able to charge your devices, either small or large ones, quickly.
Silent
You never know what kind of situation you are going to get into. Sometimes, when being in the wild, it is important to hide your location and evade someone or something. If this is the case, you need to stay silent.
Luckily, with a portable solar panel at hand, you do not have to worry about this issue. While charging, it does not produce any sound or light that could reveal your location.
Disadvantages:
Along with the benefits of any portable solar panel, we can also highlight some flaws that can, however, be successfully overcome. They are as follows:
Required Sun to Shine
Variable Output Issues
Need Separate Battery Pack
Durability Issues
Just like with advantages, we will cover each of the aspects.
Required Sun To Shine
In general, it is true that a solar panel cant’ function without the sun, but let’s not jump to conclusions so fast.
When it’s night outdoors, your portable solar charger will not work for real. But what about the days when the sky is full of clouds or overcast? Will it charge?
The answer is yes, it will. However, it will take some more time to convert solar power to electricity and get your device powered and ready. If you don’t manage to use a solar charger on a cloudy day or at night, you can avail of the stored power of your battery pack.
Variable Output Issues
The charging ability also depends on the angle you put the solar cells at under the sun. The most amount of power is produced then the panel is located directly towards the sun. But since the Earth and sun constantly change their position, you need to adjust the angle every hour. As you might think, it is not convenient at all, but it can’t be helped.
Remember about such things as dust or a car window tint that can disturb your solar lights to get a panel. So, if you happened to be in the desert or have to sit in the car for some reason, you cannot power your device as effectively as usually when nothing prevents the solar from falling into panels.
Need Separate Battery Pack
If there are too many troubles with converting solar to power efficiently, you can partially rely on the battery packs that store generated power. Such products do not always go in the solar panel kit, so you often should find and buy them separately.
Durability Issues
Some people think that the photovoltaic cells in solar panels are too fragile. However, it often has nothing to do with today’s reality.
You can always find multiple layers of materials in any large solar system, for example, one that is used in roofs. There is usually a glass layer, laminate, sometimes acrylic in it, so the whole unit is not likely to break.
As for the portable solar panels, they became rugged in their design, using plastic instead of glass. Besides, a good solar panel suitcase will keep the solar cells safe. A carrying case is an important part of the design and overall functionality. Hence, companies started to pay more attention to this issue when producing and releasing their products on the market.
Best Solar Phone Charger Summary
Having read the whole article, you have learned all the general information about portable solar panels and analyzed our solar panel reviews of some market examples. We hope we have managed to convince you to purchase a portable solar charger and add it to your survival kit. You can recommend this tool to your friends and family members and explain to them why it is a cost-effective investment of money.
To remind you and conclude, a portable solar charger provides you with an opportunity to power your devices whenever they run out of charge and use them conveniently on the go, without the fear of getting lost or experiencing troubles with discharged devices that hold the information you have downloaded in advance. It guarantees that you will be able to do what you need and want in any situation.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
Do Solar Phone Chargers Really Work?
To cut a long story short: yes, they do. Truly, solar phone chargers will charge your mobile phone; however, they usually take longer and work in solid daylight. Contingent upon your way of life, telephone battery, and different requirements, you may find that a solar-powered phone charger is ideal for you to ensure the best power production. As you already know, there are some other options to charge your devices, e.g., solar panels.
What is the Best Solar Charger?
By the year 2020, the best solar chargers are as per the following:
BigBlue 28W USB solar charger, your top pick USB charger
BEARTWO portable solar charger, easy to just put in your backpack, great design
Renogy Portable E.Flex Monocrystalline 10W Plus Solar Panel with USB Port that comes with a flashlight!
Nekteck 21W a lightweight solar phone charger, with a wattage of 21 of power production and power output
Hiluckey solar charger for phone, fast charging capabilities is one of its peculiarities.
Anker 21W solar phone charger can charge two devices at the same time.
How do I Charge my Solar Phone Charger?
Solar chargers do not straightforwardly charge the lithium-particle battery on your mobile device. Thus, they, as a rule, charge an interior power bank. This is charged through the sun-powered modules, and their charge at this point is adjusted to your device so that an external electrical source is not needed.
It takes around 25-30 hours in ideal conditions to fully charge the power bank utilizing solar energy, and with a full charge, it can charge most mobile phones at least multiple times.
A solar panel charges a rechargeable battery that thusly charges your cell phone. This implies you can charge your telephone in any event, when there is no daylight – around evening time, for instance – insofar as you’ve charged your battery during the day.
What can you Charge With a Solar Panel?
The solar panels are expected to charge various devices, e.g., battery packs, various other devices from the battery pack, by producing the wattage out of the solar panel.
A former USA Army sergeant and a highly educated survivalist and prepper with a degree and interest in Engineering and Electronics, Mike Millerson applies his extensive expertise in survivalism, homesteading, backpacking, hiking and hunting, spreading his deep knowledge about handling emergencies and prepping for them reasonably and effectively.
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