Yes. However, it depends on how you want to use solar panels. The portable solar panels are small size equipment design for the emergencies. Think about the places such as cities affected by the hurricane, and heavy rain washed away the residential areas or the earthquake hit in the remote area where human-made infrastructure is damaged.
In such conditions, the portable solar panel would make a big difference. Portable solar panels are lightweight and can be carried in the back of the cars.
These panels are power-generating sources that produce electricity using the sun rays. Installation of the solar panels is easy.
You can lay down the panels pointing to the direct sunlight, and it will start producing the electricity.
People will have free electricity restored in time and make them warm up in the bad weather condition.
Watch the below video to know more about the effectiveness of the portable solar panel.
What are Portable Solar Panel Systems?
Portable solar panels are small-sized equipment that is easy to install, and you can carry them anywhere while travelling. You can find various types of portable solar panel in the market. The small size solar panel that looks like small size iPad can sufficiently charge your smartphone during the day.
It is a handy tool that doesn't require much space to install. The mid-size solar panels are quite easy to install on your RV.
Once installed on the RV, you will generate energy for powering your equipment during the vacation.
You can connect your portable solar panel to the batteries. During the day batteries will get a full charge, and in the night time, you can use to light up the RV.
The portable solar panel is a great invention that has solved many problems we deal during our lifetime.
Every second there is always a place where the sun is shining bright. If we can harness all the solar energy that reaches the surface of the earth, we will be able to change our world.
How portable solar panels work?
Portable solar panels are designed to produce energy in the remote areas where it is difficult to reach the local power grid. The portable solar panel also provides emergency electrical service to the people affected by the natural disaster. Portable solar panels have several benefits that you can enjoy.
Therefore, it is vital to know how portable solar panels work.
Step by step guide on the portable solar panel equipment
1) Core equipment: Each portable solar panel comes with the energy-producing solar panel kit. It is a flat aluminium sheet made with the solar cells that cover the top of the solar panel.
To protect the solar cells from environmental damage such as dust and rainwater, the top of the panel is covered with the transparent glass.
The glass protects the shield. It allows the Sun UV rays to pass through the glass and reach the solar cells that eventually produce electricity.
2) Electricity generation: When the sunlight hits the photovoltaic cells, it allows the electron in the Silicon bond to move from the negative charge to the positive charge.
This movement is known as the flowing electricity. When the electrons start moving through the connect cable, it is directed to the batteries where the electricity is stored.
You will see the common box patten in the solar cells. Each group solar cells are fitted to make the electron move freely when the bond is broken by the suns UV rays.
The heat produced during electricity production is what heats the equipment. So it would help if you assembled solar panels in a way that no one would touch them during the electricity production.
3) Role of batteries: The batteries are not the mandatory component of the solar panel system. Your solar panel system can produce electricity without using the batteries.
However, batteries would help you to utilize the solar panel at the optimum performance. During the day when your solar panel generating the electricity, there will be a time when the solar panel has reached its optimum capacity on a bright sunny day.
The portable solar panel would be generating more than what you consume in a day time. So it would wise decision to store the excess electricity using the batteries.
The batteries will get charges during the day, and you can use them in the night time. This way, your solar panel would system would be used at its optimum capacity. You will be able to save the cost on the electricity bill.
4) Solar panel stand: The solar panel system would require the supporting device to mount or keep the panel in the ground's standing position.
To produce the maximum output from the solar panel system, you should keep the portable solar panel on the right angle. Your solar panel system should be directly pointed to the sunlight.
The direct exposure to the sunlight enables the panel to produce more energy. Hence, the solar panel stand would help you place your solar panel in the fix position and adjust it according to the sun's current position.
The stand mechanism allows you to easy change the direction without needing you to re-assemble the whole system. You can easily change the direction of the panel to direct it to the sun.
5) Cables: Portable solar panel would come with the cables. These cables are made of high-quality material that protects you from getting an electric shock.
The cables are transporting device that moves the electricity from the portable solar panel to the inverter. It would help if you learned to connect the wires.
6) Inverter: The inverter is the device that converts the direct current generated from the solar panel to the alternate current.
The direct current can produce a high amount of pressure on the connected device; therefore, it is wise to convert them in the alternative current which generally operates in the moderated manner.
It gives protection to electronic equipment and makes the equipment work in a safe environment. Even if the production on electricity increases through the solar panel, the inverter adjusts the flow of the electron to the device before moving them to the connected batteries.
The high voltage current shift in the connected device may burn the whole system due to excessive heat.
What can Portable solar panels be used for?
There are several usages of the portable solar panel system. We get bright sunlight every day. Even in the rainy days, there will be a good amount of the sun passing through the cloud, which can generate solar energy. Here are some of the ways you can use portable solar panels.
1) Renewal power source:
One of the common use of the portable solar panel is the generate electricity without needing significant infrastructure or technical knowledge. Portable solar panels come in small sizes.
You can install them instantly on the rooftop of the house, assemble it on your RV or place them on the ground with the help of the stand.
You get the free electricity generation source anywhere you are in the world. Connect your solar power system to the batteries to store the excess electricity and use it in the night.
2) Water heating:
Solar energy can be used for water heating systems. It would provide you with the heating solution in the cold weather.
The portable solar panel is placed on the rooftop, directly connected through the cable to the heating system or the batteries.
Whenever you want to the hot water, keep the heating system on, and the batteries are used to power the heating system. You get 24 x 7 hot water in the home without spending a dime on the electricity bill.
In some areas, the heating solution is used to warm the swimming pool water. Imagine the heating system used to heat the swimming pool using the grid energy source.
That may add a burden on your electricity bill. Using a portable solar panel system, you can save money.
3) Solar Lighting
Solar lighting is an innovating product that is widely used all over the world. It has become ubiquitous, and people who live in the villages are adopting the technology with an open hand. The solar lighting system comes with the portable solar panel assembled on the lights.
When you place the lighting under the sun, it charges the batteries throughout the day, and in the night it lights up the surrounding.
The mini tracking system is installed in each light that controls the system and makes the light on and off based on the lighting condition.
The technology helps the homes to light the room with renewable energy sources. The automatic function saves energy when not in use.
What does a portable solar system cost?
The cost of the portable solar panel depends on the size of the panel. Suppose the small size portable solar panel capable of producing 100W power would cost approx $215. The panel would come with the connection cable. If you purchase the whole setup that comes with the stand, then the portable solar system's price will go up.
The portable solar system cost is calculated based on the amount of energy it can produce. If the higher the energy output, the costlier the device would be.
Here are some of the best portable solar panel systems.
Renogy 100-watt 12 Volt Foldable Portable Solar Panel
Key Specifications:
* Wattage: 100 W
* Weight: 26.6 lbs
* Foldable size: 19.9 x 27.2 x 2.8 inches
* Cost: $239.21
Jackery SolarSaga 100 W Portable Solar Panel
Key Specifications:
* Power Output: 100W
* Weight: 11.65 pounds
* Dimensions: 26 x 22.5 x 2.5 inches
* Cost: $299.99
Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase
Key Specifications:
* Power Output: 100W
* Weight: 25.9lbs
