Category: Portable Solar Generator

Find the best portable solar generators as well as solar calculators to help estimate the solar panel cost!

What is the best portable solar phone charger?

What is the best portable solar phone charger?
What is the best portable solar phone charger? Today there are a lot of solar phone chargers available in the market. However, what makes a good solar phone charger depends on the user who might rate different solar chargers based on affordability, durability, user-friendliness, availability, compatibility, and the solar charger features provided in the solar charger such as wireless charging, multiple charging ports, LED flashlights, etc. In this article, we will capture three aspects of a solar phone charger that can assist anyone to make a quick decision regarding what is the best portable solar phone charger available in the market today.1. Capacity

What is the best portable solar phone charger?

The capacity needed for your solar phone charger really depends on the usage of your solar battery bank or how often you do not have access to an AC power outlet. For instance, if you are into outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, camping trips, etc. you probably need a bigger solar battery bank capacity. Battery capacity is rated in milliampere-hours (mAh) and the higher the rating the higher the power stored for later use. The typical size or capacity of a solar phone charger range from the smallest available 2500mAh to the largest one available about 50,000mAh. The smallest chargers are typically cheap because they are good for one charge while the bigger ones are good for outdoor activities such as camping or when away from a power outlet for a few days since they can hold power for days.

One good example of a solar charger with a bigger capacity of about 50,000mAh is available on Amazon: the Solar Power Bank Portable Charger 50000mah Battery Pack 2 LED 2 USB Camping Solar Panels Waterproof Car Travel Outdoor External Backup Flashlight for All Cell Phones and Tablets Black & Orange. This solar power bank has a built-in 50000 mAh high-capacity polymer lithium core battery bank equipped with a compact solar panel, which could recharge the battery itself under sunshine.

2. Affordability

The cost of a solar phone charger is cheaper compared to a conventional phone charger because of the zero cost of utilizing clean, natural energy with no external electricity required as well as almost zero maintenance. In addition, it is inexpensive depending on what specifications or features are selected during purchase time. The price of a solar phone charger can range from anywhere between $30 to above $100.

3. What is the best portable solar phone charger? –Specifications or features of a solar phone charger.

Specifications of features of a solar phone will include various aspects the for instance the type of solar phone charger manufactured, capacity, use of wireless charging, use of multiple charging ports, etc. All these features or specifications will determine the price of your solar phone charger. For instance, there are two types of solar phone chargers including direct solar chargers and battery bank solar chargers. As the name suggests, in a direct solar phone charger, solar panels are connected directly to the battery of the phone while in a battery bank solar charger, solar panels are connected to a battery bank for charging and that power is stored for later use for your cellphone.

What is the best portable solar phone charger?

Other interesting specifications or features for a solar phone charger that will be considered to determine what is the best portable solar phone charger included but not limited to:

  • High charging time
  • Wireless charging
  • Multiple charging ports are good to enable you to charge multiple phones at the same time.
  • LED flashlight is good for outdoor activities such as camping etc
  • The solar charge should be waterproof, dustproof, shockproof for durability purposes.
  • Includes a carabiner for portability.
  • Make sure your solar charger is compatible with your USB devices.

When it comes to charging time is very crucial because it will determine how fast you can recharge your cellphones when they go low on charge. Charging time is dependent on the size and the specifications of the solar charger as well as the nature of the cell phone being charged, for instance, what are the energy requirements of your cellphone.

solar phone charger
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What is solar energy information?

We take this opportunity to wish you a happy new year – 2021. We would like to start the new year by sharing our new going solar options’ app which is a one-stop place app for solar information concerning solar energy options’ available as well as online solar tools such as solar calculators for helping with your decision to go solar.
Our new solar app will help you help access solar information easily and faster using your cellphone. The solar app is called “Going solar options’” and will help to promote solar energy and sustainability. The solar app comes in handy when you want to know your solar potential and provides a one-stop place of information for solar PV applications such as solar panels, solar generators, and solar gadgets.

What is solar energy information? It is the type of information anyone interested in going solar will be looking for to understand the pros and cons of solar energy before making the decision to go solar. It is a go-to app for both solar consumers and businesses interested in strategies for going green or implementing sustainability or CSR solar-related activities. Please feel free to download here the app which is currently on Google Play App’s store. An iPhone version of the app will be available soon in Apple’s apple store.

About the Going solar options’ app

Going solar options’ app is the condensed version of the reneenergy.com website to help our online users access solar energy information easily and faster on their cellphone gadgets. As such, online solar tools such as online solar calculators, online solar marketplaces, and solar reviews of different solar panels, solar generators, and solar phone chargers. An online solar platform of information about solar energy options’, online solar applications, and sustainability. Find online solar calculators, solar apps, and information about solar PV solutions for different uses.

Find solar reviews of different solar providers, including solar chargers, solar panels, solar generators, solar inverters, and solar batteries. Also, find solar energy calculators to determine how much you can save with solar or how many solar panels you may need to go solar.

With regard to going green, it is about adopting eco-products or eco-practices that eliminate or reduce environmental burdens. Going green for businesses or individuals is profitable in the long-term depending on what strategies are taken by a specific brand to make it socially responsible both in the short and long-term. As such, going green is a concept that revolves many sectors in energy, transportation, manufacturing, food, health, and many other industries that help to build the economy.

As a result, since all these sectors involve the end-user or consumers, many innovations both eco-products and eco-practices have been developed in each of these sectors to target consumers that are environmentally conscious about their carbon footprint or environmental impact. Going solar is one strategy individuals and businesses can adopt as an option for going green.  The aim of this solar app is to share solar energy facts information for solar consumers to make informed solar decisions. What is solar energy information? 

What is solar energy information? 

Solar energy information empowers the end-user to make informed decisions when it comes to going solar. A solar energy consumer needs to know solar energy facts information to distinguish between the different applications of solar energy. As a result, the going solar options app comes in handy in this regard. Here we capture the different applications of solar energy and their applications. 

The abbreviation ‘PV’ stands for photovoltaic. Photovoltaic cells are composed of semiconductor materials. When they make contact with sunlight, the light excites electrons, which leads to the generation of electricity.

A photovoltaic solar panel is made up of integrated components called solar cells, which fall into the categories of first, second, and third-generation solar cells. When people go solar, they will often get these solar panels added to their homes.

1. First-generation solar cells are the traditional and widely commercially used photovoltaic cells. Also, known as wafer-based cells which are composed of crystalline silicon, including polysilicon and monocrystalline silicon.

2. Thin-film solar cells fall into the second-generation category, and they include amorphous silicon, CdTe, and CIGS cells. Less used in residential solar panels. For the most part, thin-film solar cells are in building utility-scale PV solar power stations. Thin-film solar cells are integrated PV systems or more minor stand-alone solar power systems.

3. Third-generation PV solar cells are not yet commercially available for public use. Most of them are still under R&D. The goal of the research is to decrease PV costs while maximizing the efficiency of solar cells. Researchers and engineers are trying to incorporate organic materials, including organometallic compounds, in addition to inorganic materials. The goal is to reach higher efficiency and lowered PV costs. As a result of this research, solar generators might become more effective in the future. As such, solar PV has several applications and therefore it has a multitude of different forms, such as

  • Solar phone charger
  • Solar-powered battery charger
  • RV solar panels
  • Solar panels
  • Solar generators
  • Solar Lighting
  • Solar Powered Water Pump

Please access our new solar app here. We would appreciate it if you could review the app and rate it on the Google Play App store for our android users. Very soon our iPhone users will also have access to this particular app.

Thank you and we look forward to receiving your comments and reviews regarding the going solar options’ app.

Portable solar generators

solar generator
Portable solar generator for home use. 

Portable solar generator for home use when there are power outages, camping and other outdoor activities. As such, When comparing solar generators, it’s essential to get a sense of what those brands will offer.

There are many brands and models of solar generators, and here we capture the most popular brands with a range of solar generators either for providing portable power used to charge a wide range of devices or solar backup generators for emergency back-up and disaster preparedness. This solar generator review is for helping you figure out the specific features of different solar generator brands and models good for your research.

The development of solar generator technology has come a long way, and we have seen a tremendous improvement in the way solar generators work. We can now use solar generators as emergency back-ups for home, business, or even to power medical equipment in times of power outages or just for camping. Also, solar generators for home are excellent at being able to create a lot of different new opportunities for people who need many chargers.

Being able to travel for an extended period is much more comfortable in the age of solar generator for camping, even in a world where people always have to charge all of their devices and rely on a lot of technology.

A portable solar generator for a home will allow people to charge their devices at the right time. Solar generators for a home can be used to keep laptops, smartphones going by just turning those solar-powered generators to the sun.

Portable solar generator for home use during power outages

For a lot of people, solar generators are particularly useful when power outages occur. Portable solar generator for home use is what people need to keep all of these solar backup generator charged in the meantime to avoid running into a situation where nothing works. However, there are still plenty of solar backup generators that can charge relatively quickly. As such, this allows people the opportunity to truly get the best of both worlds about everything that they need when it comes to the solar power that they produce.

People can quickly charge some of their devices just in time for some power outage, or they can charge the devices outside as they wait for the power to come back on for them. At least they will be doing something to address the problem.

The people who have a wide range of different devices that are solar powered around the house will have an easier time managing to get ahead in the wake of a power outage. A lot of people will find it easier to prepare and cope with disasters using their solar panel generators.

Solar backup generator review  – Popular Brands of Solar Panel Generators

  1. Goal Zero

Many of the best solar generators on the market come from Goal Zero. This is a company that places a strong emphasis on making sure that the products and portable solar panels are straightforward to use. These devices are also known for being very versatile. This is also a company that has a lot of products that people might have a hard time finding from other companies, such as solar flashlights.

People should be able to get a lot of different solar generators for sale that they really need from Goal Zero.

solar generator

Many of the most highly rated solar generators and solar products are from the Goal Zero company, and this is something that a lot of people will be able to appreciate. They can look up a lot of different devices online, and the Goal Zero devices tend to show up over and over again in the lists of the products that will truly give people the best possible results.

Goal Zero has a lot of great models, including the Goal Zero Yeti 400 Solar Generator Kit, which offers continuous 300 Watts, is priced at 640 dollars, and works well for indoor use.

The Goal Zero Yeti 1250 XX-Large Solar Generator is another model that will come highly recommended from a wide range of different resources online.

Other solar panel generators from Goal Zero include Goal Zero Yeti 3000 and Goal Zero Yeti 150.

solar generator

The price range of solar generators from Goal Zero is extensive, which is one of the characteristics that a lot of people will care about the most when it comes to making the switch to solar power.

A lot of people are convinced that it’s always going to be a costly journey for them. As of 2020, a solar generator from Goal Zero could cost between 80 dollars and 1400 dollars. This is a tremendous level of variation in price, and it should allow people to make informed decisions as customers reasonably quickly in most cases.

2. Be Prepared Solar

There are many solar energy products available through Be Prepared Solar. Many of these products are distinguished by the fact that they have a lot of components.

Some individual parts are less expensive, and many of them are cheap enough that people will be able to afford them even if they don’t have much of a budget for solar panel generators.

solar generator

There are lots of variations in the price of the Be Prepared Solar products. One of the best models for the Be Prepared Solar company is the Portable 2500 Watt 200Ah Solar Generator, which costs 1800 dollars, offers 2500 Watts, and has a 12V/24V socket. However, as of 2020, people are still capable of actually spending around two hundred dollars on a Be Prepared Solar product, and this should make things easier for the people who are trying to find a way to get ahead in the world of solar power and solar generators.

3. Renogy

Renogy offers a wide range of different products for all users. People will be able to keep all of their Apple products charged, making it easier for them to more or less take care of all of their most pressing energy needs right away. Renogy will help people live off of the grid in a way that will be difficult for a lot of the other solar generators for sale that is on the market these days.

People should be able to find the solar generators that they need from Renogy, even if they want solar generators that will offer a truly impressive power output for them. There are lots of all-in-one solar kits available through Renogy.

The Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Solar Marine Kit is one of the best models from the Renogy brand. This is a model that will offer people 100 watts continuously and that will be able to easily give people the power that they need. This small model is very easy for people to carry, and you get solar generators for sale from Renogy through Amazon.com.

solar generator

Many of the devices from Renogy are relatively inexpensive. However, it is important for people to remember that they will need to take their actual energy needs into account as they calculate the Renogy brand devices and their power outputs. As of 2020, people can spend around 100 to 400 dollars on a Renogy product on average, and some of the smaller devices might be able to meet their needs while some of the larger devices might be unnecessary. It’s important for people to really get a sense of what they will truly need from a company like

4. Anker

Anker is a good example of a company that does not actually specialize in solar technology, but that is actually capable of giving people what they want with regard to all of their new solar-powered devices anyway. This is an electronics company in general, and people might not immediately know that they have all of these great portable solar generator devices. This electronics company has been around since the year 2011.

In that time, they have managed to create a great selection of devices, including solar-powered devices that will work for a lot of users. The Anker PowerPort 21W solar charger is one example of a solar charger sold by Anker. It’s a device that is capable of charging a wide range of different devices in its own right. As of the year 2020, this solar charger only costs less than 100 dollars, making it wonderfully inexpensive for the people who need something that is fairly basic on a long trip.

There are other advantages associated with getting an Anker device. People might be able to get a lot of different products there since this is not just a company that focuses on solar-powered devices.

solar generator

Check this article to find additional solar generators review. Also if interested in going green or you want to check out this solar panel calculator to go solar, click here. You can also learn about solar panel reviews here if you are interested in switching to solar.

Learn more about other models of portable solar generators from the following articles:solar generator

solar phone charger
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Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station

Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station

Goal Zero Yeti 500X can be powered with the sun or charged using your mains power or using your car and has a lithium-ion internal battery.

It weighs about 12.9 pounds a little bit lighter than the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500, another generator that can be powered using solar and that weighs about 13.32lbs. It has a two (2) year manufacturer warranty.

Goal Zero was formed with the idea of providing energy solutions in developing countries that lack the basic access to light. Goal Zero also designs products that can lift the poorest of the poor while at the same time extremely relevant to the richest of rich.

Goal Zero Yeti 500X like the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500 has a lithium-ion battery of 500Wh capacity. The lithium-ion battery is rechargeable with about 500 life-cycles to 80% capacity (Discharge rate: 0.2C, Full charge/discharge, Temp: 25C) with a shelf-life charge of about three (3) to six (6) months. 

The following are the output and input power ratings for the Goal Zero Yeti 500X with regards to the USB port power output, solar panel port (6 mm port for the output and 8mm for the input), 12V car port output and 120V AC inverter (sine wave):

• USB port (Output): 5V, up to 2.4A (12W max), regulated
• USB-C port (Output): 5/9V, up to 3.0A (18W max), Regulated
• USB-C PD port (Input/ Output): 5-20V, up to 3.0A (60W max), Regulated
• 6mm port (output, 6mm): 12V, up to 10A (120W max)
• 12V car port (Output): 12V, up to 10A (120W max), Regulated
• 120V AC Inverter: 120VAC 60Hz, 2.5A (300W, 1200W surge) (output, pure sine wave)
• Charging port (input, 8mm): 13-22V, up to 10A (120W max)

The Goal Zero Yeti 500X comes with a 300-watt AC pure sine wave inverter and has a high-speed charging capability through its 60-watt USB-CPD port capable of charging USB-C laptops, tablets, mirrorless cameras, and phones in a fraction of the time.

As such, the Goal Zero Yeti 500X is good to power your outdoor activities such as hiking, backyard camping, backpacking, etc. For Goal Zero Yeti 500X to become a solar generator so that you can enjoy the unlimited free power from the sun, Goal Zero recommends the following solar pairings as recommended by Goal Zero depending on whether it is being used for light usage, standard usage or heavy usage. The below solar panels are sold separately:
1. Light usage: Goal Zero recommends the Goal Zero Nomad 20 solar panel that charges in 29-58 hours. The Nomad 20 solar panel is rated at 20W with an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of between18 – 22V and the cell type of the panel is monocrystalline.

Goal Zero Nomad 20 solar panel

2. Standard usage: Goal Zero recommends the Goal Zero Boulder 50 solar panel that charges in 12-24 hours. The Boulder 50 solar panel is rated at 50 watts with an open circuit voltage of18-20V and the cell-type of the solar panel is monocrystalline.

Goal Zero Boulder 50 solar panel
3. Heavy usage: Goal zero recommends the Goal Zero Boulder 100 briefcase solar panel that charges in 6 – 12 hours also sold separately. The Boulder 100 briefcase solar panel is rated at 100 watts with an open circuit voltage of 18-20V and the cell-type of the solar panel is monocrystalline.

Goal Zero Boulder 100 briefcase solar panel

According to Goal Zero, the above charge times assume standard conditions of 75 degrees and 1000 watts/meter squared solar radiance. The lower end of the range requires frequent repositioning for faster charge times while the high end of the charge assumes the solar panel is in a fixed position resulting in longer charge times.’

You can also compare pricing or other technical features on eBay. 

jackery portable power station explorer 160
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Jackery explorer 160 for your outdoor activities.

Jackery explorer 160 is designed for charging cellphones, tablets, laptops, and other smaller electronics because of its lithium-ion battery capacity of 167 watt-hours (46, 400 milliamp hours @ 3.6 volts ). As such, jackery explorer 160 provides eco-friendly clean power as it does not need any gasoline/diesel to power it and does not emit any fumes or produce a loud noise.

• It is good to power your outdoor activities such as hiking, backyard camping, backpacking, etc.

Three ways of recharging Jackery explorer 160 

1. You can recharge it using the wall power socket in your home if you are connected to the grid. A full charge takes about 5 hours.
2. Recharge it using the 12V/10A car cigarette lighter port. A full charge takes about 5 hours.
3. Recharge it using the 60W/100W Jackery Solar Saga solar panel (sold separately) or any other solar panel that is compatible with the Jackery Portable Power Station. A full charge takes about 8 to 10 hours depending on the weather.
4. Jackery recommends in case you use your own solar panel to make sure that the output voltage of the solar panel is between 12-30V to be compatible with Explorer 160 solar generator.

• Included with the Jackery Portable Power station is * Jackery Explorer 160 Portable Power Station (167Wh Portable Power Station), 1*AC adapter, 1* car charger cable, 1*DC to car adapter cable, an AC inverter(110V 60Hz 100W 150W Peak), and 1* user guide.
• The rated output power of the Explorer 160 is 100W and hence cannot power or charge devices that operate more than 100-watt. It powers smaller electronics: like smartphones, tablets, cameras, led lights, laptops, Mini-fridge, etc. It cannot support devices more than 100W such as CPAP, toaster, heater, hairdryer, electric drill, electric kettle, induction cooker, rice cooker, blender, etc.
• Specifications for Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 160 are:

 Battery Capacity: 167Wh ( 11.6Ah, 14.4V) ;(46,400mah,3.6V)
 Input (DC 8MM): 12V~30V 42W Max
 1* AC outlet : 110V 60Hz Continuous 100W Peak 150W
 1* USB-C output port: 5V 3A
 2* USB-A output ports: 5V 2.4A
 1* DC Output port (6MM port): 12V/7A
 Dimensions: 7.40*4.59*6.73 in
 Weight: 3.97 lbs

Learn more about the Jackery Portable Power Station or buy it on Amazon.  Jackery is a USA company founded in California in 2012 which specializes in providing outdoor green power solutions.

1800w solar generator
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1800w solar generator – Solar & wind hybrid power generator

1800w solar generator – Solar & wind hybrid power generator allow you to connect to solar panels or wind power generators at the same time and enjoy the benefits of renewable energy. It is designed to have two ports and one of the ports is for solar panel(s) with an output of 100-watt while the second port can be used for the wind generator that can be purchased separately as well.

It also has a built-in 1800W Pure Sine Wave Inverter to provide quality power that can be used to power sensitive equipment like medical equipment, computers, or an ideal solution for off-grid living, camping, RV’s/Vans, boats, or generally used during power outages.  

1800w solar generator – The hybrid solar/wind generator comes with a Bluetooth application that can work with both iOS and android—useful for monitoring the charge in your battery or monitoring both the power produced by your solar panels and the wind generator. You can also monitor the runtimes for all the devices or appliances connected to the system.

The wind component of this hybrid power system makes it possible to continue using it during cloudy or at night when there is no enough solar. It comes with two types of the wind-turbine edition, that is:

1800w solar generator – Solar & Wind hybrid power generator 

Nature’s Generator GOLD System: Wind Turbine Edition with a total output of 1800 watt that includes one 100-watt solar panel with a battery capacity of 720-watt hour

Nature’s Generator PLATINUM System – Wind Turbine Edition: with a total output of 1800 watt that includes three 100-watt solar panels with a battery capacity of 1920 watt-hour

Below are the System Specifications

  • Generator Outlets/ Ports, Inverter & Battery –
  • Three 120V household AC outlets
  • Two USB ports (3A of combined power)
  • One 12V DC port (240W max)
  • Expansion Port: 200A Fuse
  • Charging AC Input (90W)
  • Solar Input (200W Max)
  • Wind Input (300W Max)
  • Generator Output Power: 1800W max
  • Generator Output Wave Form: Pure Sine Wave
  • Generator Output Voltage: 120V
  • Generator Output Frequency: 60Hz
  • Built-in 60Ah SLA battery (Keep plugged in or recharge every 2-3 months of non-use)
  • Built-in charge controller
  • Built-in low battery protection
best solar panels
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What are Portable solar panels for RV?

RV solar panels

Portable solar panels for RV are solar panel kits that are off-grid and hence not connected to the grid and can be used to generate solar power for a recreational vehicle (RV).

Portable solar panels for RV are a great solution and an alternative to diesel generators providing clean power to your RV and saving you money at the same time. Portable solar panels for RV come with portable solar panels, adapter kits, battery, charge controller, and an optional power inverter.

How do RV solar panels work

An RV PV system requires solar panels connected to a charge controller to ensure that your batteries don’t overcharge and using the batteries to store energy charged from sunlight. The inverter is connected and is used to convert DC electricity to AC electricity. Proper cables are used to connect all the components together and after proper installation is done according to your RV roof size, you can start enjoying the benefits of solar power in your RV.

RV solar panels

Advantages of portable solar panels for RV

  • RV solar panels help you to save money because once you have bought the solar panel kits, you don’t need to worry about fuel costs. It is a great alternative to diesel-powered generators. RV solar systems are almost maintenance-free because there are no moving parts in the RV PV system
  • RV solar panels give you the freedom to travel even to the most remote areas where there is no electric grid.
  • RV solar panels generate clean and quiet renewable energy as they do not burn fossil fuels hence they are good for sustainability.

Disadvantages of portable solar panels for RV

  • RV solar panels will need extra space on your RV and for RVs with limited space, this might be cumbersome.
  • Because there is no sunlight at night, and depending on the size of your RV solar panel system, you might need extra batteries which means more space is needed.

How much do solar panels for RVs cost?

Most portable solar panels for RV will have a power wattage of between 100 watts to 400 watts and depending on your power needs, that is, how many appliances you have in your RV and whether you are using your system for refrigeration; the ideal PV system is about 800 watts. Thus, assuming your 800 watts RV PV system has five (5) hours of direct sunlight, you’ll produce about 4,000Wh of solar power per day. Hence, the cost of your portable solar panels for RV will depend on your electrical load or appliances in your RV.

There are various brands of RV solar panels that you can buy online at Amazon, including but not limited to Renogy, Eco Worthy, HQST, and many others. Most of the solar power systems are often sold in kits which include solar panels, a system monitor, wiring, and connectors. For more information about the pricing for your portable solar panels for your RV check out the various brands of RV solar panels at Amazon.com.
solar panels

off-grid solar
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Why off-grid photovoltaics (PV)systems?

How has solar PV technology advanced?

off grid solar

With the decreasing cost of photovoltaics (PV), going solar is becoming more cost-effective and adoption rates continue to increase for both on-grid and off-grid applications. The solar PV technology continues to advance to provide power solutions for both businesses and individuals. From a very massive utility-scale power plant providing over 2GW (2000 MW) of generating capacity to a 4 or 5-watt panel for charging your cellphone or mp3 player, it is proof that solar PV technology has advanced and has very many applications. Research and development (R&D) efforts for photovoltaics continue with the aim of determining the right combination of materials to enhance or increase solar panel efficiency to generate more electricity per unit area of the solar panel.

When it comes to off-grid solar, more solar applications are developed with the aim of powering rural areas. Rural electrification, especially in developing countries, has been made more cost-effective since grid extension is still very expensive in rural areas. Scattered households and lack of a critical mass of households to make grid extension more cost-effective are one of the major reasons why the private sector does not find incentive in developing many rural grid electrification projects without subsidies from the government.

Many rural electrification projects using grid extension has remained a project for governments and non-governmental organizations. However, because of the reducing solar panel cost, the private sector is increasingly getting involved in many rural electrification projects that use innovative business models such as pay-as-you-go (PAYGO)  and other off-grid solar projects to provide electricity to rural communities in developing countries.off-grid solar

Solar PV and rural electrification

With the right mix of technologies, off-grid solar PV systems can help to overcome the barrier to rural electrification without grid-extension. This can also take the form of off-grid solar PV combined with other sources of energy including, but not limited to wind power, bioenergy, geothermal, and small hydro resources. However, apart from solar energy, many of these other forms of renewable energy resources are site-specific and would work well where such resources are available and from a sustainable source.

Off-grid solar has numerous applications and solar is in abundance in most rural areas where it is needed because of its wider applications. A lot of food is grown in rural areas and off-grid solar would play a vital role in providing water from the wells through solar water pumping irrigation as well as other productive uses, especially in agriculture. Also, since many people have cellphones today, charging cellphones using solar power would be ideal, especially in areas not connected to the grid.

Off-grid solar also means portable solar solutions providing emergency power or standby power where there are many power outages. Some of these portable solar solutions include solar generators, solar battery chargers, and other portable solar gadgets. Solar lighting options for homes or street lighting are also applicable in rural areas.

Of all the above off-grid solar applications, solar water pumping for irrigation would provide many sustainability benefits in both short-term and long-term, creating jobs in the agricultural sector, especially in dry areas that can be transformed for growing food crops. On the other hand, off-grid solar would also provide a huge sustainability impact for homes through improving livelihoods with solar electrification.

Off-grid solar water pumping for irrigation:

For dry off-grid areas, solar photovoltaics can provide water for irrigation using solar water pumps and is more cost-effective compared to diesel-powered water pumps considering the long-term costs. The life-cycle cost of a solar water pump used for irrigation will be lower because once the solar water pump has been bought, there will be no lifetime fuel costs associated with the solar water pump.

solar irrigation

However, a diesel-powered solar water pump will continue to rely on diesel over its lifespan. The solar water pump to be used will depend on many factors including the size of the farm, power rating (voltage rating), flow rates, and so on. There are two major types of solar water pumps: surface and submersible solar water pumps. Learn more about solar water pumps in this article.

Off-grid solar for rural electrification:

Rural electrification comes in many ways including, but not limited to grid extension, microgrids powered with renewable energy, or powered with fossil fuels. Powering rural areas using solar is increasingly being applied in many developing countries because of the reducing cost of solar panels. As such, solar PV is used as a clean technology to mitigate climate change with the right combination of technologies and with the right financial instruments.

Looking into the future, the centralized grid power system in rural areas will not be common as many investments will be used to develop decentralized power systems because of economics and the need to mitigate climate change using decentralized renewable energy systems. Also, solar packaged systems, as well as innovative business models such as pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) models, will continue to penetrate in rural areas of developing countries helping to provide affordable power to rural communities while mitigating climate change.

Renewable energy micro-grids such as off-grid solar PV systems with battery storage will overcome the high costs of grid extension. Standalone off-grid solar systems will be more ideal for rural electrification in areas where grid extension is expensive, and households not concentrated in one area, but scattered over a large area where grid extension could be expensive. Learn more about solar packaged solutions and rural electrification.

solar phone charger
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Five(5) benefits of a solar phone charger

With the growing environmental concerns of climate change and the decreasing prices of solar PV, solar energy is trending in many sectors, including but not limited to power homes and businesses. Also, portable solar solutions including portable solar chargers or solar phone chargers are trending with increasing awareness about renewable energy. This article attempts to explain five(5) benefits of using a solar phone charger:solar phone charger

  1. A solar phone charger is portable and uses clean energy to help you charge your electronic devices. Once you have selected your solar cell phone charger, whose cost can be estimated to range anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on the brand and features included, a solar phone charger is very portable as it can be carried anywhere to charge your cellphone. A solar-powered phone charger comes in handy, especially used during traveling or outdoor activities. Since it is portable during the day when there is sunshine you can use it in your picnics, hikes or when camping to use it to charge not only your cellphone but also your iPad, portable speaker, humidifier, etc.
  2. A lot of people especially in rural areas mostly in the developing world are not connected to the grid. As such, having solar chargers and other solar PV systems like solar panels and solar batteries are being used to produce power for both households and commercials helping to solve the energy access issue.
  3. A solar phone charger would probably be the main source of energy in off-grid areas to power cellphones. For instance, in Africa, around 640 million people don’t have access to a grid and where some people do have access to the electricity supply is unreliable and unstable. As a result, solar PV has become one of the main sources of energy to power homes and businesses using one of the most consistent and promising approaches to tackling this huge obstacle to energy access, that is, off-grid pay-as-you-go solar power model, now called PayGo.
  4. A solar phone charger uses solar energy – a renewable energy source. Even though energy from a solar charger might seem trivial or does not have an impact in terms of how much you can save when it comes to energy because cellphones or smartphones use a trivial amount of electricity. For instance, iPhone 5 uses 3.5KWh/year and costing about $0.41/year to charge them while Galaxy S III consumes 4.9 KWh/year at $0.5/year primarily because of the Galaxy’s larger battery. However, this might not impact you, but considering the aggregate impact (about 5 billion cellphones around the world) in terms of energy reduction from the grid and the increasing demand for mobile phones worldwide; your usage of the Sun’s energy to power your phone probably has an impact, if you look at it from a system’s perspective.
  5. A solar phone charger is one step to energy efficiency when you aggregate the number of cellphones from a system’s perspective. Currently, there are about 5 billion cellphones around the world according to GSM intelligence. Users for smartphones are expected to increase by 2023 to over 7 billion. Smartphones consume more energy depending on how many wireless data the device is using as well as the amount of power consumed in making those wireless connections. As a result, when not using energy from renewables, a solar phone charger can help in reducing your carbon footprint.

From a system’s perspective, electronic gadgets or even electric vehicles powered using solar power will have an impact in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduced while increasing the energy efficiency consumed in the long-term.

Some of the best solar phone chargers have been reviewed on Amazon. When looking for some of the best solar phone chargers, it is important to evaluate the number of devices that can be charged, the time it takes to charge, and overall durability when selecting a model.

Five great products on the market have been evaluated through Amazon to help determine which solar charger best meets your needs. You can learn more at Amazon.

To understand your energy profile and GHGs that can be reduced while going solar using a solar panel calculator can help you figure out your sustainability benefits. Learn more about how you can check instantly whether solar is right for you.

solar phone charger
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How much time does it take to charge a solar phone charger?

1. Why solar phone chargers?

With the rapid development of the solar PV technology, the benefits of the technology continue to increase since now we can use solar energy to directly power your cellphone and other gadgets in your household using, for instance, a portable solar generator or a stationary solar generator depending on your intended use of solar energy.

A solar phone charger comes in handy for people that do a lot of outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, camping, mountaineering, cycling, canoeing, caving, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, running, sailing, skiing, skydiving, and surfing. Since most of these outdoor recreational activities involve traveling to remote places away from the grid, having a portable energy source would help to solve the problem, especially if you need to charge the battery of your cellphone when far away from the power grid.

In most cases, when people travel and need to charge the battery of their cellphones, they use their car chargers by plugging them in their car charging port to keep using their mobile phones. However, in some cases depending on the activity of the day, you will need to solve the problem with a solar-powered phone charger, especially when your recreational activity involves hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, etc.

One way to solve this problem is using a solar cellphone charger that incorporates an external battery pack attached to a series of solar panels that can be connected to the general electric supply or to the connector of an automobile vehicle lighter for charging the battery in the absence of solar light. Although it is a good thing to have a solar charger that can recharge all of your battery-powered electronic equipment such as your GPS, smartphone, camera, or flashlight and that can be recharged easily as well using solar panels.

2. So, how long does it takes to charge your solar phone charger?

Basically, a solar phone charger uses solar panels to charge a rechargeable external battery pack which in turn charges your cellphone. By knowing that solar panels would produce electricity even on cloudy days, your solar phone charger can charge the battery of your phone if there is some sunlight to trigger the electrons on your solar panels creating electricity (movement of electrons).

solar phone charger

How long your solar phone charger takes to charge the battery of your cellphone depends on the wattage of your solar panel. High wattage means more solar power is harvested by your solar panel per unit time and depending on your external battery pack size, it is a matter of time depending on the types of solar batteries being charged.

3. Charging a solar phone charger.

Before we answer this question, let us understand the external battery pack that is being charged through the solar panels in your solar-powered phone charger. Solar batteries vary in several parameters, including capacity, output, size and weight and there are three types of solar battery banks:

• NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries, usually the rechargeable AA or AAA batteries which are sold in packs.

• Lithium-ion batteries are the most common for portable battery backs.

• Lead-acid batteries not great for portability, because they are heavy and bulky, but very reliable when it comes to power output and capacity.

So, how long it takes to charge your solar-powered phone charger is a little complex and it is advisable to understand some electrical terminologies to understand the concept of charging your solar batteries:

• V — Voltage (electrical potential in the system, measured in volts). The higher the voltage, the more power you get out of a battery. A car battery has 12V and a USB port is usually fixed at 5V.

• Amps (A) – Current – the amount of electricity. General plugs are rated at 9A while big power devices like air conditioning (AC) systems are rated at 15A while smartphones draw current at 1A.

• Watts – Wattage (power measured in W) which is voltage (V) multiplied by Current (Amps)

Hence, if you have any of the above two numbers you can figure out any of the numbers. Batteries and gadgets like your smartphone are considered as small power and are measured in Amp-hours (Ah) or milliamp-hours (mAh) since 1Ah = 1,000 mAh which includes the rate of charging your solar battery bank.

Since most gadgets, including cellphones today, charge off USB (fixed at 5 V) we can calculate the time taken to charge your solar-powered phone chargers as (power bank capacity) divided by (power generated by the panel) using the parameters provided by the manufacturer. For instance, the manufacturer has set a certain number of amps needed to get a healthy charge in a reasonable amount of time.


solar phone charger

So, if your cellphone is drawing a current of 1A we know that phones charge off USB at a voltage of 5 Volts, then such a cellphone draws 5V x 1A = 5W and considering for instance how long it takes to charge the following solar phone charger using solar? i.e. the Amazon, Solar Charger Power Bank 25000mAh Portable Charger Battery Pack with Three Outputs & Dual Inputs Huge Capacity Backup Battery Compatible Smartphone, Tablet, and More.

As we have noted above, this type of solar charger will depend on several factors. First, what is the current output of the solar panel? If the solar cellphone charger claims a 2W panel, it will produce electricity of 400 mAh at 5V (assuming there are no losses). That’s 400mA per hour, then if the capacity of this solar power battery is 25000mAh as rated, then 25000 mAh divided by 400mA is approximately 62.5 hours to fully charge your solar battery pack in the sun. Therefore, you probably need to buy a few pairs if you plan to stay outdoors for a long period while also plan to keep these solar battery packs topped off.
solar phone charger

Powering your mobile-phone using a solar phone charger.

solar phone charger

As the solar photovoltaics (PV) technology continues to advance we are seeing a lot of technological breakthroughs that use photovoltaics to help power homes, gadgets as well as businesses. These technological breakthroughs range from solar generators for homes, solar chargers, solar panels for RVs, and many other solar PV gadgets.

When it comes to solar phone chargers, they can be used to charge your phone by the use of solar panels and they are useful in remote areas not connected to the grid. A solar phone charger is a portable device or gadget that is solar powered or uses solar panels to supply electricity to electronics. An extended-life battery pack is usually included in a solar phone charger to store electricity for later use.

solar phone charger

Although you can still own a solar phone charger if you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking camping etc to use it to recharge your phone or your camera. Just like there are so many brands of solar phone chargers today, there are also many types of the same and most of which can be purchased on Amazon.com. Below you can find a review of some solar phone chargers:

1. [Quick Charge] OUTXE 20000mAh IP67 Waterproof Solar Phone Charger (Dual Input 4A) Rugged Power Bank with Flashlight

This is one of the solar phone chargers that people can use if they tend to spend a lot of time outdoors as it is specifically designed for outdoor trips. It’s shock-resistant, so it won’t automatically be severely damaged in the event of a fall. It’s also dust-resistant and water-resistant, which should make all the difference in the world even for people who don’t plan on doing a lot of outdoor activities with their phones.

solar phone charger

Specifications

  • Capacity: 20000 mAh(20Ah*3.7V=74Wh)
  • Battery Type: Li-polymer Rechargeable Battery
  • Waterproof, Rugged, Shockproof, Crushproof, Dustproof
  • SunPower Solar Panel: 2W, 400mA
  • Flashlight Luminous Flux::200lm
  • Micro USB Input: DC 5V/2A(max)
  • Type-C Input: DC 5V/3A(max)
  • Quick Charge Output: DC 5V/3A,9V/2A,12V/1.5A (max)
  • Smart Output: DC 5V/2.4A(max)
  • Dimensions: 170×86×30 mm / 6.7×3.4×1.2 in
  • Weight: 525g /18.5 oz

The high conversion efficiency solar panel should work effectively for all purposes.  It’s also a great device to use in emergency situations. The LED flashlight function should also make it that much easier for people to get around during the dark. You can buy this type of solar phone charger at Amazon.com.

2. Solar Charger,Dizaul 5000mAh Portable Solar Power Bank Waterproof/Shockproof/Dustproof Dual USB Battery Bank for cell phone,iPhone, Samsung, Android…

This cell phone solar charger was designed to be more durable and effective more broadly. It was made with a sort of anti-skid protecting effect. The football grain design ensures that. This should make it that much easier for all people involved to be able to hold onto this cell phone solar charger. This cell phone solar charger was also designed to be shock-resistant as well as water-resistant, making it that much more durable than it would be otherwise.

Specifications: 

1. solar phone charger Battery Type: Li-Polymer Battery
2. Capacity: 5000mAh
3. Input: 5V/1A
4. Output: 5V/2X1A
5. Product Dimension: 142*75*13.6 mm
6. Product Weight: 146 g
7. Solar Panel: 5.5V/1.2W
8. AC charging time: about 6-7 hours

The free hook makes it easier for people to be able to hang the device on luggage for long periods of time. As such, this is just the sort of device that will be handy for the individuals who are trying to travel frequently and who want to keep their devices charged all the while. You can buy it at Amazon.com.

3. JETSUN 16750mAh Solar Charger Sunpower Panel Solar Power Bank Portable External Battery with 2-Port Dual USB Backup Battery – Blue

With a 16750 mAh power bank, this solar charger has a particularly high capacity for a device in its product range. The compact solar panel should be easy for people to use and to store if necessary. The 2 built-in LED torch should make it that much easier for people to be able to actually see in the dark if necessary. However, this is certainly the sort of device that will charge efficiently and effectively in sunlight, so it has a lot to offer in both extreme lighting conditions.

Specifications: solar phone charger

  • Battery type: Li-polymer battery
  • Solar panel: single crystal 1.8W
  • Material: ABS+PC+Silicone
  • Input: DC 5V/2.0A
  • Output: DC 5V/2.1A
  • Charging time by outlet: around 8~10 hours

With the dual output USB ports, people are actually capable of charging two different devices at the same time. This is going to make it that much easier for people to keep all of their devices going and to go green in general. This is a charger that’s more useful as a result.

Lots of solar cell phone chargers emphasize durability these days. This one is even more effective than most others in that regard. It’s wear-resistant in addition to being water-resistant, shock-resistant, and dust-resistant. As such, it’s a cell phone charger that will not be vulnerable to the majority of environmental hazards out there today, making it that much easier for people to be able to use it for years.

It’s certainly a good choice for customers who tend to enjoy a lot of hiking and camping. The metal hook makes it possible for people to use the device hands-free and for them to be able to store it in that manner while they’re hiking or traveling. This is a device that should manage to solve a lot of problems for different customers at the same time. You can buy it at Amazon.com.

4. Solar Charger, F.DORLA 20000mAh Solar Power Bank Portable Charger for Camping External Battery Backup Charger with Dual 2 USB Port/LED Flashlights for iPhone Android Cellphone

The built-in 20000mAh high capacity polymer battery has much more to offer people than almost anything else that they’ll find on the market in this particular product category, making it that much easier for them to be able to charge their devices. This is a device that should charge very easily in the sun because of its high battery capacity.

This is a solar charger that was designed to be as portable as possible. It’s very lightweight and it was designed with a sort of hook that will allow people to easily hang it on a backpack at any point. This is a device that should last for a long time, given the estimated number of recharging times that it should have when used properly.

Specifications: 

  • Capacity: 20000mAh
  • Input: 5V/1.6A ( highly recommend)
  • Output: Dual 5V/2.1A
  • Product Dimension: 5.7 x 3 x 0.67in
  • Product Weight: 8.8oz
  • Battery Type: Li-Polymer Battery
  • Operation Temperature: -10~50℃
  • Flashlight Work Time: 55~65 hours

You can buy it at Amazon.com. People could use this device in order to charge two smartphones at the same time if they wanted. They could also easily charge a cell phone and a tablet at the same time. It should work well under emergencies. With its high capacity battery, people can expect their devices to work for a long period of time after they have been fully charged with a device like this one.

5. YOUNGFLY Dual 20000mAh Solar Charger Sunpower Panel Power Bank Waterproof, Dust-Proof, and Shock-Resistant Led Light, With Compass + USB Cable + Hook (Green)

The built-in intelligent protection system should be able to help people get through significantly more emergencies than they would otherwise. Some people might be worried about the dangers of overcharging with solar chargers. This is a device that is equipped with over-charge protection as well as over-voltage protection, over current protection, over-discharge protection, and short circuit protection.

solar phone charger

Specifications:

  • Battery capacity: 20000mAh
  • Solar panel: 1.5W
  • Input voltage: DC 5V 1.0A
  • USB output 1: DC 5V-1A
  • USB output 2: DC 5V-2A
  • Color: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Black
  • Size: 13.2cm x 7.2cm x 1.8cm – 5.19inch x 2.83inch x 0.70inch

With a capacity of 20000mah, people should be able to charge a wide range of different devices very effectively just after they give this device enough sun exposure for a little while. It’s that effective. People can charge their cell phones, smartphones, GPS devices, tablets, cameras, and many other devices as a result of this solar cell phone charger. For a lot of people, this is a device that could literally be life-saving during a particular camping trip.

solar phone charger

People can use the metal hook in order to hang the device on their backpacks effectively. There are also small LED lights that people can easily use as flashlights. This is just the sort of thing that can make a huge difference on a camping trip. It can make just as much of a difference on a long road trip. One way or another, a device like this can hold enough energy to allow people to effectively keep their devices going. You can buy this at Amazon.com.

You could also shop at Amazon for a solar-powered phone charger.