Portable Solar Power System

If you are RVing, or traveling with your computer, using portable solar power could save you a lot of time and money if you choose the right solar panels. These are some of the basics of using portable solar cells.

The Basics of Portable Solar Power

First of all, solar cells can break easily if you fold or crease them. Make sure to keep them straight and don't store them around sharp objects. These need to be treated and handled very gingerly to keep them intact.

A portable system cannot recharge regular batteries. The only type of batteries that can be recharged are "rechargeable batteries."

This needs to be said because there are people who will try to recharge a regular battery. You will find out very fast that this simply doesn't work.

A non-rechargeable battery needs to be thrown out properly because once the energy is used up – it's gone forever.

A rechargeable battery has many hours of life in them and can be recharged successfully over and over again!

How to Charge a Battery With Solar Power

Charging a battery with a solar energy system is called trickle charging. You need to put your portable solar panel in full sun light and plug it into either a cigarette lighter socket or attach the set of clips directly to your vehicle battery.

These are especially helpful in colder climates where the temperatures stay below freezing and your vehicle is not parked in a garage.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Portable Solar Power

Portable solar power systems require extra equipment to work right. This results in additional expense at the front end, although in the long run you will save money!

You will need items such as connectors that can fit with the recharging plugs. You may also need a set of battery clips to be able to charge a vehicle battery.

A portable solar power system is a more expensive investment, although new technologies are being developed such as more easily manufactured thin film solar panels which will eventually lower the cost.

These systems are very useful if you camp or hike a lot, are using an RV, or are working out of your vehicle and need the battery to remain charged for long periods of time.

Portable solar systems are great for back up power if you are in an area where the electric power goes out often! In fact some people use portable solar power generators for this very purpose!

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