Solar energy has become a viable alternative to fossil fuels and an environmentally friendly option to power not only homes but personal electronics, construction tools, camping gear, and medical equipment. Learn how portable solar panels are changing the power game and helping consumers save money and the environment.
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Personal Portable Panels & Chargers
In the market for personal solar products? From chargers to backpacks, the list below will help clarify the crowded marketplace of portable solar power equipment.
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Portable Solar Camping Equipment
Whether traveling in an RV or backpacking on the trail, portable solar camping equipment can keep your gear charged even when you’re off-grid. Learn more about your options below.
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Solar Gadgets
Harnessing the sun’s power is more than about powering batteries or smartphones. Find out more about the sheer variety of solar-powered accessories and fun products below
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Mobile Solar Panels & Chargers
From the campsite to the job site, power is required to finish the job even when the grid is miles away. Discover how mobile solar panels can power everything from generators to power tools.
Solar panels, power packs, chargers, and equipment come in all shapes and sizes. Learn more about the different types of solar products available to consumers below.
| Camper | Student | Medical Device User | Traveler | Mobile Professional | Construction Contractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campers can use solar generators, RV and car-mounted solar panels, solar backpacks and device-specific solar equipment (e.g. lanterns) to make their time at the lake, trail or river less frustrating. | The on-the-go student can use portable solar rechargers the size of a smartphone to keep their personal devices powered, even if they are not near an electrical outlet on-campus. | Solar suitcases, portable solar panels, solar chargers, and solar kits are available to power medical equipment, such as CPAP devices, oxygen tanks, and infusion pumps. | Whether US- or international-bound, travelers can use solar backpacks, portable solar panels, and small rechargers to keep their vital electronics operating in the absence of power outlets. | Road warriors can turn to personal flip chargers, solar rechargers and airplane and car chargers to keep their tablets, phones and GPS systems at the ready. | The off-grid contractor can turn to solar generators, light towers, and powerful portable solar panels to generate the juice required to keep a job site humming and workers happy. |
| How solar power works for these types of users | |||||
| Solar power is a cost-effective option for today’s camper. Portable solar panels can power everything a camper needs, including the battery on an RV or ATV. Instead of relying on traditional batteries or gas, campers can turn to lightweight, flexible solar options for their power needs. | Whether on their backpack or on their bike, in their vehicle or dorm room, students can use solar power chargers as a flexible, low-cost alternative to always carrying a power cord among their crowded backpacks — or having their laptop not save their last-minute term paper. | Solar energy can power critical equipment in rural or international areas without access to electricity or keep health care facilities and lifesaving equipment operating when power outages occur during natural disasters and other events. | Travel is packed (pun intended) with power difficulties. Power outlets are a premium at airports, public transit vehicles may not have outlets, and some countries don’t offer reliable energy sources, while others have different outlets. Solar power helps travelers hit the road without worry. | If a phone or tablet powers off during a presentation or while on the road, today’s mobile professional may be stuck without a sale. Solar power offers a reliable alternative to packing batteries and heaps of power cords. | In construction, solar power reduces not only noise but reliance on expensive diesel- or gas-fueled generators and equipment. Its portability is vital for jobs that are far from the standard electrical grid. |
Portable Personal Solar Panel Chargers
According to the Pew Research Center, 81 percent of Americans own a smartphone. . That represents a major need for power – especially for those on-the-go or going off-the-grid. You can use personal solar panel chargers for more than just charging a smartphone to access email, make phone calls or use an app. They are lightweight, portable and offer an array of features that can be used to charge and power items such as tablets, cameras, GPS devices, 12-volt batteries, wireless earbuds and other mobile electronics. Learn more about the breadth of personal solar equipment in the table below.
| Name | Intended Use | Panel Watts | Charge Controller Features | Inverter Features | Battery Capacity | Other Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit |
Tablets and smaller devices | 7 watts | Can be charged from sun, 12-volt outlet, or 120 AC | None | 4 AA-sized NiMH batteries with a combined capacity of 11 Wh (4.8V, 2300 mAh) | Combined weight of 1.2 lbs. | $90 |
| Ironton Solar Panel | Charge 12V batteries in cars, SUVs, boats, and watercraft | 1.5 watts | Can be charged from sun | None | None | Comes with 2 sets of suction cups and two 12V DC plugs | $25 |
| NPower Solar Trickle Charger | 12V batteries in cars, SUVs, boats, lawn mowers and other equipment | 4 watts | Can be charged by sun or 12V adapter | None | None | Weatherproof and connects to onboard diagnostic port in most vehicles | $25 |
Goal Zero Sherpa 50 Power Pack |
Laptops, tablets and cameras | Varies based on Goal Zero Panel used | Can be charged by sun, wall outlet or 12-volt outlets | Sold separately; 110V modified sine wave | LI-NMC battery with 58Wh (5200 mAh | 1.2 lbs. and compatible with multiple solar panels | $250 |
EnerPlex Packr Executive |
Portable electronics, such as phones, wireless ear buds and cameras | 3 watts | Can be charged via solar power | None | None | 2.98 lbs. | $50 |
Go Power Portable Solar |
RV, car, ATV, boat and other battery charging | 80 watts | Can be charged via solar power (10 Amp) | None | Can use gel, sealed or flooded batteries; voltage varies | Only 19.8 lbs. | $388 |
| Instapark 10 Watt Solar Panel Portable Charger | iPhone, iPad and other portable electronic devices | 10 watts | Charged by solar power only | None | None | 1.3 lbs. and has foldable design | $60 |
Aspect Solar Duo-Flex 2 Solar Charger |
Portable USB battery packs and electronic devices that use mini-USB port | 13 watts | Charged by solar power | None | Sold separately; 8,000 mAh portable battery pack or 10,000 mAh portable battery pack | 15.5 oz. | $80 |
Go Pole DualCharge |
Designed for GoPro, but charges point and shoot cameras, USB headphones and other mobile devices | N/A | Charge via USB or solar panels | None | 5,000mAh | Water resistant and weighs 8 oz. | $35 |
Olympia SB5500 |
Cell phones, tablets and other small electronic devices | 5.6 watts | Charge via solar panels, USB cable or micro-USB cable | None | 5500 mAh lithium polymer battery | Two charging ports, 9 oz. | $60 |
Brunton Freedom Solar Panel |
Small electronic devices | 2 watts | Charge via solar panels | None | 2200 mAh lithium polymer battery | Water resistant, USB compatible | $68 |
Portable Solar & Camping
Camping is all about unplugging and getting away. Yet, accessing power may be as important to the rugged backpacker as it is to someone in an RV. Portable solar power has made it possible for campers to leave gasoline-driven products at home and not have to worry about battery-powered equipment failing at the wrong time. Beyond indispensable smartphones, a range of camping equipment needs power – from flashlights to stoves, lanterns to campsite generators. For the camper, this equipment needs to be rugged, durable, water-resistant or water-proof, lightweight and easily transported. Learn more about how solar power can make camping lighter and quieter, without sacrificing access to critical gear, including weather band radios, GPS systems, smartphones, flashlights, lanterns, cooking devices.
| Device | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| SolarPanel 5+ | Solar panel with integrated 2,200 mAh battery. Designed for charging cell phones and similar devices that can be charged with a USB charger. | $80 |
| Renogy Firefly | A 20W 16Ah all-in-one solar kit that packs a battery, solar panels, and inverter in a 12-lbs, 15x11x4-inch attaché case. | $470 |
| Fuse 10W Solar Laptop Charger |
A 10-watt solar panel and battery designed to be attached to the outside of a backpack. With included adapters, it can recharge laptops, cameras, and USB-charged devices, including phone. Weighs 3.6 lbs. | $300 |
| Suntactics sCharger-5 Portable Solar Charger |
Solar charger with 1000 mAh output. Waterproof up to 40 feet. Charges phones in 3 to 4 hours and tablets in 3 to 7 hours. | $100 |
| ECEENA Solar Backpack | Wearable 7-watt solar backpack that charges a variety of portable electronics. Offers 10,000 mAh power bank and micro-USB charging cable. | $80 |
| MPOWERD Inflatable Solar Light | LED light entirely powered by solar charging. Generates light for up to 12 hours on a single charge. Has three LED settings, hanging clips and is waterproof. | $20 |
| Goal Zero Camping Base | Solar collection with a Yet 400 Power Pack, Guide 10 solar panels, Guide 10 battery pack and two Lighthouse 250 lanterns to charge a variety of devices and provide bright lighting while camping. | $785 |
Solar Gadgets: Fun and Useful Sun-Powered Devices
Some devices harvesting the sun’s rays fall slightly outside the norm. Solar power increases the usefulness of these items and helps consumers save time rifling through kitchen drawers or garages seeking the elusive C-size battery. The table below provides several examples of solar-powered accessories (e.g., Bluetooth speakers) and safety equipment (e.g., emergency weather radios) that are finding their way to the market today.
| Device | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Shower | Freestanding, portable solar shower connects to a garden hose. 100% solar powered, no batteries or electricity required. Takes approximately one hour to heat water. | $199.99 |
| GreenLighting Solar Window Solar Charger | Portable solar charger designed to be placed on a plane, car or train window to capture sun’s energy. Takes 13 hours to charge a 1,400 mAh battery that can power a smartphone, tablet and other devices. | $14.99 |
| Eton Scorpion Charger | Lightweight water-resistant radio, LED and USB cell phone charger that offers solar and crank charging. Requires 8-10 hours of solar charging for a full battery. | $39.99 |
| Goal Zero Rockout 2 Solar Rechargeable Speaker | Portable and rechargeable Bluetooth speaker. Can charge via USB or solar power. Works with Guide 10, Switch 8 and Nomad 7 Goal Zero solar panels. Has an 800 mAh lithium battery that powers for 10 hours on a single charge. | $129.99 |
| Ambient Weather WR-089 Weather Band | Small self-charging weather band device that offers a weather radio, LED flashlight and charging capabilities for smartphones and other small devices (e.g., Amazon Kindle). | $12 |
| Eton Rugged Ruckus | Solar-powered blue tooth speaker that offers smartphone charging capabilities with an internal lithium battery. Water-resistant and the battery provides up to 8 hours of listening on a single charge. | $39 |
Portable Panels & Chargers: Cleaner Camping and Job Sites
Construction sites, such as clearing acreage for new access roads or building transmission lines, all require one thing: power. Usually, these sites will use grid power and, in cases where grid power is not available, construction crews will rely on noisy and expensive gas or diesel generators. Likewise, campsites are designed to be off-the-grid and campers use generators, campfires, and battery-driven equipment. Solar power offers a durable, quieter and environmentally friendly alternative for the contractor and camper alike. Solar generators, light towers, and portable charging systems can keep power tools and camping equipment running day and night. Find out more about the different types of portable solar options below.
| Panel System Name | Panel Capacity | Charge Controller | Inverter | Included Hardware | Sellers | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grape Solar GS-200-Kit |
200 watts | Xantrex 35 amp | Xantrex 450 watt | Cables and connectors | Costco, Home Depot, Lowes | $272 |
Renogy 200 Watts |
200 watts | Renogy Wanderer 30 amp | None | 9in MC4 Adaptor Kit | Renogy.com, Amazon | $286 |
|
Harbor Freight 68751 |
45 watts | Included but unknown capacity | 12-volt and 5-volt USB charger | Mounting hardware, 12v light kit, battery terminal clamps and universal DC power adapter | Harbor Freight | $180 |
| Go Power GP-Flex-100 |
100 watts | GP-PWM-30 30-amp | None | None | Amazon, local RV dealers | $600 |
Cabin AC 320 |
320 watts | SunSaver SS-20L 20 amp | 300 watts pure sine wave | MP4 connectors, breakers, cables, capacity meter | Wholesale Solar | $1,521 |
Goal Zero Yeti Ultimate Solar Generator |
240 watts | 20A MPPT | 1200W pure-sine wave | 2 solar generators, linking cable, 8 solar panels, 2 tripods, 2 lanterns, 20 quick clips, 2 roll carts, 4 travel carrying cases | EarthTech Products, Goal Zero | $1,995 – $5,699 |
WindyNation 400 Watt Solar Panel |
100 watts | MPPT TrackMax 30L Controller | 1500W | Mounting hardware, solar panels, charge controller with LCD readout, cables | Amazon, WindyNation | $530 |
Resources
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Interstate Renewable Energy Council: The IREC is a national nonprofit organization that supports solar power regulation and policy development and provides checklists for residential consumers considering solar power investments.
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Solar Energy Resource Center: Resource hub from the Department of Energy and other sources which includes information about solar power financing, model standards, utility policies, zoning, and other issues.
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Solar Industries Association: National, membership-based trade organization for the solar industry that has 1,000 member companies that offers information into residential consumer solar policy—from financing to manufacturing.
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Solar Living Institute: A nonprofit organization that operates the Solar Living Center, a 12-acre renewable energy site, and offers a range of IREC and NABCEP solar and sustainable living training courses.
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US Department of Energy: The US Department of Energy provides a wealth of consumer resources, including home solar use, system components, electricity consumption and permitting.