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There’s no denying when it comes to the importance of solar energy systems. They have improved constantly over the years to become the third biggest clean, renewable energy resource.
For example, the solar power capacity within the United States has grown from 0.34 GigaWatts in 2008 to around 135 GW in the current year. To put it into perspective, that’s more than enough to power 23 million homes!
Solar power systems have not only become more versatile but also more accessible to the common folk. However, only some people can or want to install an entire solar energy grid.
The RVing and camping community is an excellent example of that. With over 40 million Americans RVing regularly, most people need just a little bit of clean solar power to go completely off-grid for a few days. Fortunately, most people can now opt for portable solar panels for the most authentic experience.
Since most people are relatively new to portable solar panels, they’ll opt for anything, which is a big NO! Different solar panels may work similarly, but some are undoubtedly more efficient than others. And, of course, we won’t let you cash in on a losing deal, now would we?!
Why Should You Get A Portable Solar Panel?
In this day and age, solar energy is a must-have technology. Since its inception in 1883 by Charles Fritts, solar energy has improved by leaps and bounds.
Now, imagine having access to electricity almost everywhere in the world. You can harness the sun’s power to produce electricity wherever there’s light.
From charging your smartphones to powering your vehicle and even jump-starting dead batteries in the wilderness, portable solar panels have a lot of practical uses. Some practical uses of portable solar panels include:
Off-Grid Power
Although it is still a pipe dream for many to fill all their electrical needs with solar energy, the day is pretty close. On average, portable solar panels are less potent than fully-installed home systems; hence knowing your power needs is essential. When camping, there’s nothing better than portable panels to offer an “authentic” off-grid episode.
Continuous Power Supply
The sun shines almost everywhere in the world. Thus, wherever you find yourself, you’ll always be able to source electricity using portable panels. You can hook up a system to power an entire RV or just a select few devices; the choice is yours. Furthermore, a small solar energy system is enough to constantly supply your intermittent needs, such as charging phones, laptops, and Wi-Fi.
Saving Up On Power Costs
While it’s tricky and expensive to support the entire house, with a small portable system you’ll be able to notice a substantial change in the amount of electricity you consume.
An average solar shopper can save between $20,000 and $75,000 in terms of electricity costs over a solar panel system’s entire lifecycle.
The Climate Impact
As many of you might know, solar energy is a clean energy resource. What’s better than getting benefits while repaying the Earth at the same time?
Stats show that just one acre of solar panels producing electricity without any carbon emissions is capable of saving between 267,526 to 303,513 pounds (about 121 to 138 metric tons) of carbon dioxide in a single year.
As the trend of solar energy systems becomes more prominent, more and more people will switch over, reducing our dependence on conventional electricity. Join the revolution if you want to make a difference!
Scalable Energy
Solar Energy is scalable. In simple terms, solar energy can power a single household and even an entire industry; there’s no limit. When used on a smaller scale, such as a single household, any excess energy is stored in a battery to be used later or returned to the electricity grid.
In addition to this, solar power can be installed pretty quickly in comparison to other sources of electricity. To put this in perspective, Germany increased its solar power production by 3 GW in the mere month of December 2011.
All in all, the sun gives off far more energy than we’ll ever be able to use; it’s just that our current technology cannot harness it.
How Much Power Do You Need?
Calculating the power requirement is pretty simple. You need to determine the total watts your appliances will use per hour and multiply it according to the estimated number of hours each day.
Once you get an estimate of the value, you’ll be able to select a solar panel system that meets your criteria.
The best system for you is one that can meet your demand not only on sunny days but in other conditions as well.
This will ensure you’re getting your money’s worth with your solar panel. After all, if you get a solar panel that cannot meet your demands, your investment will go to waste. On the other hand, getting too large a system will also be a waste of money. Hence, you have to install a system that just completes your power needs.
How to Pick a Portable Solar Panel?
Choosing the best portable panels depends on how often you’ll use them and the appliances they’ll power. Other factors include:
Efficiency
Every solar panel system is different, and this is significantly more so when it comes to portable solar panels. Portable solar panels are meant for people that are tight on space. In such circumstances, having one that provides the best output takes priority.
For instance, if you only use electricity sparingly and store solar power in a battery, a solar panel worth around 100 watts would be the best. However, suppose you need to keep a single appliance running throughout the day, for example, a refrigerator, throughout your trip. In that case, you’ll need one that can supply a much higher power.
However, no matter what you choose, always look for a solar panel with an efficiency rating of at least 18% or above.
Size
Size is an important deciding factor, especially when you have limited space. With portable solar panels, you usually need systems that are easy to install and move around. Before getting a movable solar panel for your needs, always consider the space you have around to install the system.
Durability
Everyone wants their solar panels to last a long time. Now if you, like everyone else, have the same desire, you’ll have to actively seek out durable systems. You should always buy solar panels with snow or hail and wind ratings.
Since most portable solar panels are mounted on the rooftop, you should ensure your panels can survive year-round. You can do this by having a look at the solar panel’s strength rating, which is generally labelled as the front side or snow load and the back side or wind load.
Here’s the minimum strength rating that you should go for:
- Wind rating: 2400 Pa
- Snow rating: 5400 Pa
Similarly, get a solar panel with connections that have a rating of over IP65 to avoid water from getting into the system. The higher the rating, the higher will be the water resistance.
Reliability
Customer Reviews are often the best medium to gauge a product’s reliability. An item with a more extensive consumer base with positive comments will undoubtedly serve you better than one with negative comments.
Knowing whether an item is reliable is even more critical for portable solar panels since a certain level of investment is needed to buy one!
Cost
Price is perhaps the most important factor out of the lot. There’s more to setting a budget for your solar panel than you think. First, you’ll need to pick out all the items you want to run solar. Next, you’ll have to make sure you’re able to house all of the panels needed to support said devices.
Sometimes you might not have enough space to fit in these panels, and an array large enough to meet your demands might simply be out of your range. Make sure to consider every single factor before opting for a portable solar panel for your home or RV.
How Many Types of Portable Solar Panels Are There?
Types Of Solar Photovoltaic Cells
Before we get around to discussing the type of solar panels, let’s take a look at the different types of photovoltaic cells used in these panels.
Silicon
These are the most common materials used in solar panels today. More than 95% of the solar panels sold in recent times have silicon as a semiconductor. This is due to multiple reasons. Silicon is the most abundant material on Earth today (second if you count Oxygen in too). Also, the material itself is perfect for converting sunlight into energy.
Crystallized silicon cells can also last for up to 25 years and still be 80% as efficient in comparison to when they were first bought.
The material provides the perfect balance of longevity, efficiency, and expense. The three major types of solar panels, i.e., monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film panels, all majorly use silicon as a semiconductor.
Thin Film
Thin film cells are made by compressing photovoltaic cells on a secondary supporting material such as plastic, metal, or glass. The two main types include CdTe (cadmium telluride) and CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide).
CdTe, after silicon, is the most common material on Earth, which makes it easy to procure. However, these PV cells are unable to get the same efficiency as silicon. On the other hand, CIGS panels have a high efficiency but have a very complicated manufacturing process. After all, combining four elements together perfectly for energy conversion isn’t exactly simple.
Organic
Organic PV is made out of organic materials (carbon-based) to enhance the specific functions of a PV cell. These cells have a shorter lifespan than crystallized silicon cells and are only about half as efficient.
Perovskite
These thin film cells are made by depositing a layer of materials on a secondary layer known as a substrate. These cells have an efficiency comparable to that of silicon cells but are unfortunately unable to last as long.
Quantum Dots
These PV cells conduct solar energy with the help of tiny semiconductor particles placed at a distance of a few nanometers. The gap between these particles can be customized, and hence Quantum Dots PV cells can be made to capture light that is difficult to reach.
However, these cells slack out on efficiency, and are thus, not able to compete with the market value of silicon cells.
Concentration
Concentration PV cells work by focusing light onto a solar cell with the help of a mirror or a lens. These cells, consequently, have the highest efficiency out of the lot. Unfortunately, for these cells to work at their highest potential, newer manufacturing techniques and more expensive materials are required.
Multijunction
Multijunction PV cells are basically multiple semiconductor layers in lines to improve the efficiency of PV cells. They are made from III-V materials, such as aluminium gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP) and gallium indium phosphide (GaInP).
Since different layers absorb different sunlight from different spectrums, these cells show high efficiency, exceeding 35%. Unfortunately, they are very expensive to manufacture and are currently only reserved for use in special circumstances, for instance, space exploration.
Types of Solar Panels
There are three different types of portable solar panels. Each of these has distinct qualities, making them suitable for different situations.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline portable panels are made of a bunch of single silicon crystals held together tightly. Each silicon crystal slice constitutes a single solar cell cultivated meant solely for the production of solar panels.
The said silicon crystal is first grown into an ingot (a cylindrical log shape) and then cut into fine thin discs in the shape of an octagon. This octagonal shape helps to maximize the number of solar cells on a single panel.
Monocrystalline solar cells have a distinct black colour and are best known for maximizing electrical output. The standard monocrystalline panel has an efficiency rating of between 15%-20%. In fact, some of the newer models (still in the experimental phase) have been reported to have an efficiency rating of around 50%.
However, this high efficiency has its own drawbacks. Monocrystalline solar panels are quite expensive, and their production methods aren’t exactly sustainable. A lot of silicon waste is produced during production, especially when the silicon is being cut during the manufacturing part of the process.
Although the waste produced is quite a substantial amount, most manufacturers are responsible for its safe disposal to have the most minimal effect on the environment. All in all, these panels are a great fit for individuals that find themselves running low on space for a solar panel.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
These panels are made by melting and fusing multiple silicon crystals. Since these cells are usually fused together and shaped into cubes by cutting, their production process isn’t as taxing as monocrystalline panels. Consequently, polycrystalline solar panels can be made much faster and for a much less cost in comparison.
These square-shaped cells fit together very nicely on a panel and leave little to no space behind each cell. When it comes to electrical output and efficiency, these panels aren’t comparable to monocrystalline panels. The fusion of multiple silicon cells means that there is less room for the electrons to move around, thereby accounting for the drop in efficiency.
On average, polycrystalline solar panels have an efficiency rating between 13% and 16%. Although it is a few points less than monocrystalline panels, this difference is nothing to worry about as it can compound to a considerable value. These solar panels are often for those with more space to work around and who want to spend less on their system.
While these panels can last as long as monocrystalline panels, they have their own share of drawbacks. Ignoring the massive amount of water used in their production, they are also less tolerable to heat than the latter and have a similar less-sustainable method of production. However, much like monocrystalline panels, most manufacturers are required to dispose of any toxic waste in a sustainable manner.
Thin Film Solar Panels
Thin film panels are the worst out of the lot when it comes to electrical efficiency. Consequently, they’re the cheapest too. These panels are rapidly improving as the technology continues to grow and can now be used to charge small batteries and even devices. Usually, Thin Film solar panels are often considered by those looking for very flexible and portable solar panels for a comparatively low price.
Unlike monocrystalline and polycrystalline variations, thin film solar panels do not have crystallized solar panels. Thin film solar panels are made out o
Why Should You Get A Portable Solar Panel?
In this day and age, solar energy is a must-have technology. Since its inception in 1883 by Charles Fritts, solar energy has improved by leaps and bounds.
Now, imagine having access to electricity almost everywhere in the world. You can harness the sun’s power to produce electricity wherever there’s light.
From charging your smartphones to powering your vehicle and even jump-starting dead batteries in the wilderness, portable solar panels have a lot of practical uses. Some practical uses of portable solar panels include:
Off-Grid Power
Although it is still a pipe dream for many to fill all their electrical needs with solar energy, the day is pretty close. On average, portable solar panels are less potent than fully-installed home systems; hence knowing your power needs is essential. When camping, there’s nothing better than portable panels to offer an “authentic” off-grid episode.
Continuous Power Supply
The sun shines almost everywhere in the world. Thus, wherever you find yourself, you’ll always be able to source electricity using portable panels. You can hook up a system to power an entire RV or just a select few devices; the choice is yours. Furthermore, a small solar energy system is enough to constantly supply your intermittent needs, such as charging phones, laptops, and Wi-Fi.
Saving Up On Power Costs
While it’s tricky and expensive to support the entire house, with a small portable system you’ll be able to notice a substantial change in the amount of electricity you consume.
An average solar shopper can save between $20,000 and $75,000 in terms of electricity costs over a solar panel system’s entire lifecycle.
The Climate Impact
As many of you might know, solar energy is a clean energy resource. What’s better than getting benefits while repaying the Earth at the same time?
Stats show that just one acre of solar panels producing electricity without any carbon emissions is capable of saving between 267,526 to 303,513 pounds (about 121 to 138 metric tons) of carbon dioxide in a single year.
As the trend of solar energy systems becomes more prominent, more and more people will switch over, reducing our dependence on conventional electricity. Join the revolution if you want to make a difference!
Scalable Energy
Solar Energy is scalable. In simple terms, solar energy can power a single household and even an entire industry; there’s no limit. When used on a smaller scale, such as a single household, any excess energy is stored in a battery to be used later or returned to the electricity grid.
In addition to this, solar power can be installed pretty quickly in comparison to other sources of electricity. To put this in perspective, Germany increased its solar power production by 3 GW in the mere month of December 2011.
All in all, the sun gives off far more energy than we’ll ever be able to use; it’s just that our current technology cannot harness it.
How Much Power Do You Need?
Calculating the power requirement is pretty simple. You need to determine the total watts your appliances will use per hour and multiply it according to the estimated number of hours each day.
Once you get an estimate of the value, you’ll be able to select a solar panel system that meets your criteria.
The best system for you is one that can meet your demand not only on sunny days but in other conditions as well.
This will ensure you’re getting your money’s worth with your solar panel. After all, if you get a solar panel that cannot meet your demands, your investment will go to waste. On the other hand, getting too large a system will also be a waste of money. Hence, you have to install a system that just completes your power needs.
How to Pick a Portable Solar Panel?
Choosing the best portable panels depends on how often you’ll use them and the appliances they’ll power. Other factors include:
Efficiency
Every solar panel system is different, and this is significantly more so when it comes to portable solar panels. Portable solar panels are meant for people that are tight on space. In such circumstances, having one that provides the best output takes priority.
For instance, if you only use electricity sparingly and store solar power in a battery, a solar panel worth around 100 watts would be the best. However, suppose you need to keep a single appliance running throughout the day, for example, a refrigerator, throughout your trip. In that case, you’ll need one that can supply a much higher power.
However, no matter what you choose, always look for a solar panel with an efficiency rating of at least 18% or above.
Size
Size is an important deciding factor, especially when you have limited space. With portable solar panels, you usually need systems that are easy to install and move around. Before getting a movable solar panel for your needs, always consider the space you have around to install the system.
Durability
Everyone wants their solar panels to last a long time. Now if you, like everyone else, have the same desire, you’ll have to actively seek out durable systems. You should always buy solar panels with snow or hail and wind ratings.
Since most portable solar panels are mounted on the rooftop, you should ensure your panels can survive year-round. You can do this by having a look at the solar panel’s strength rating, which is generally labelled as the front side or snow load and the back side or wind load.
Here’s the minimum strength rating that you should go for:
- Wind rating: 2400 Pa
- Snow rating: 5400 Pa
Similarly, get a solar panel with connections that have a rating of over IP65 to avoid water from getting into the system. The higher the rating, the higher will be the water resistance.
Reliability
Customer Reviews are often the best medium to gauge a product’s reliability. An item with a more extensive consumer base with positive comments will undoubtedly serve you better than one with negative comments.
Knowing whether an item is reliable is even more critical for portable solar panels since a certain level of investment is needed to buy one!
Cost
Price is perhaps the most important factor out of the lot. There’s more to setting a budget for your solar panel than you think. First, you’ll need to pick out all the items you want to run solar. Next, you’ll have to make sure you’re able to house all of the panels needed to support said devices.
Sometimes you might not have enough space to fit in these panels, and an array large enough to meet your demands might simply be out of your range. Make sure to consider every single factor before opting for a portable solar panel for your home or RV.
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FAQs
What is the next generation of solar panels?
Many analysts predict that the up-and-coming n-type PV cell designs are the next generation of solar panels. These solar cells are not only more efficient but are also immune to LID (Light-Induced Degradation).
What devices will be solar-powered in the future?
Some of the more innovative solar products being made possible for the future include solar paint, functioning solar cars, solar windows, and solar water (or solar desalination).
What happens to solar panels after 25 years?
Solar panels have an industry-standard lifespan of around 25 years. Of course, that doesn’t mean your solar panels will stop working after this period. It just means that the power output from these panels will decrease by a noticeable amount after this time.
Do solar panels damage roofs?
No, they are very gentle on the roof. Not only will they work as an extra layer of protection, but they may also help by adding value to your house or property.
Do solar panels work at night?
No, solar panels don’t work at night. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use their power to meet your electricity needs. Your electrical appliances keep working due to the power stored in the batteries connected to the panels.
A group of researchers from Stanford University has recently tested solar panels that can produce electricity regardless of the time of the day. They produce energy at night by utilising the temperature difference between the panels and the relatively warmer ambient air.
Do solar panels work on cloudy days?
Yes, they work on cloudy days. Solar panels can produce electricity even when the light is reflected or partially blocked by clouds.
