Portable Solar Power System

Portable solar solutions.

A Portable Solar Power System goes where you go. Here are on-the-go energy generating solutions to ensure that you're getting the portable solar power unit that fits your needs.

Portable Solar

portable solar power system

From roll up panels that go anywhere to small self contained units that recharge laptops and operate power tools, portable solar power gets the job done without the need for an electrical socket or fossil fuels.

If it's solar, it has at least 1 pv panel and for serious output a number of panels can be connected in series. Smaller solar device chargers are included on our solar battery charger page.

This page will focus on portable solar systems over 50 watts. Systems capable of delivering serious energy to your location no matter how remote.

When considering the cost of portable solar remember that there will be no ongoing fuel costs (and who knows how much fuel will cost in 10 years) and little maintenance. A portable solar power system will function anywhere there's adequate sunlight and it'll do it for as many as 25 years - significantly longer than gas and deisel generators.

Every portable solar power system (PV system) requires a solar panel. Each solar panel is comprised of a number of solar cells. Generally, a small panel can recharge a cell phone, GPS, camera, that sort of thing, while larger or multiple panels can run a laptop, water pump, power tools and household appliances.

The flat and rigid panel still provides more bang for the buck but there are now panels that are foldable, flexible and stowable which makes a solar power unit more portable. Flexible panels use thin film photovoltaic technology which is a relative new kid on the block and which although they're not as efficient (don't produce as much power per square inch) as slicon solar panels they make up in portability what they lack in efficiency.

The most basic solar application is an item which can be run directly from the solar panel (no inverter or batteries required). The following is required for devices to be run direct.

The item runs on 12V power ~ the kind you get from plugging into a cigarette lighter type plug in.
You do not require the item to function during the night or low light hours.
The item will not be damaged by the surges and lapses that typically occur as the sunlight value changes over the day.

A solar powered water pump is an example of an item that can be run directly from a solar panel. If the pump is being used to fill a tank or cistern for just a few hours a day or every few days, it can be connected directly to the panel. Adding a float switch will enable the pump to be turned off and on automatically.

Most small portable solar power units however, will require the addition of batteries and an inverter. Often packaged together as a as a power pack or power center the inverter and battery convert and store the solar energy. Power packs also provide electrical sockets and sometimes emergency lights, radio and a variety of other inclusions. Lightweight and portable a power center can be charged using the solar panels and sometimes with other sources such as AC outlets and batteries.

An example of a good all inclusive solar system is the 80W Solar Electric Backup Generator Kit. Priced at just over $1,000 USD this baby will power appliances up to 1500 watts and never needs an oil change.

Large units combine the whole works on a trailer which can be towed to your location and situated in the most ideal area on the site for collecting solar energy. An enclosed trailer provides a secure storage compartment for batteries, inverter, charge controller and any other workings for your system that need to be kept dry and sheltered.