Portable Solar Power: Being Green on the Go | Science

By TonyGoggin
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Imagine being in a remote area without power lines or gas generators. You couldn't run a laptop, use a hairdryer or watch television. Thanks to portable solar energy, you can do all of those things and more. Solar panels are now used both privately and by the corporate community across the globe to supply power for houses, buildings and even entire cities.

In this article, we'll explain how portable solar power works and how you can use it to your advantage.

Most portable solar power devices use solar photovoltaic cells which produce electricity when they are exposed to light. They usually consist of panels that contain two layers of different materials. When light hits these two layers, one of the layers becomes positively charged and the other becomes negatively charged. This produces an electric current.

The amount of electricity a solar cell produces depends on how strong the sun is and how long the solar power device is exposed. A solar power cell generates electricity faster when the sun is brighter and a device with larger solar panels will produce more electricity than one with smaller panels.

Portable solar devices can pack a lot of power in a green, environmentally friendly package.

Some solar cells produce only enough current to power small electronic devices. When you are shopping for portable solar power, you will find that different devices have different "watts" ratings. To select the correct solar device, determine what watt rating you need. To find out how many watts you need, look at the output rating of the adapter. It should tell you how many watts the adapter generates. If it doesn't contain this information, then it should contain the ratings for amperes (amps) and volts. Remember that bigger solar panels usually supply more wattage and will power your devices more quickly.

Extending the use of your portable solar generator

Some companies sell back-up batteries to go with your solar cell. These batteries can sometimes also be charged from a wall socket or from a car charge adapter. You may want to have a solar cell that you can use while you are hiking or traveling, such as a flexible panel that can be carried on your back. This way, you can charge your small equipment or a backup battery while you are busy enjoying yourself. Keep in mind that while a solar cell performs best in bright sunlight, your other equipment usually doesn't. Some solar cells come with a long cord so you can put your camera or laptop in the shade while they are charging.

Portable solar power is the perfect tool to take along when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, but still want the amenities of home.

As the technology of solar power advances, we can expect portable solar power devices to become smaller, lighter and cheaper. Still, they are already very convenient and can make traveling in remote locations much safer and more enjoyable.

About the Author

Tony Goggin runs the site Science News Live a free resource for science and technology topics. Please visit us for more Solar Power news and technologies.

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