Solar Panels: Recharging Portable Power Stations
The Portable Power station (rechargeable battery, battery pack) have been made easier to use and cheaper in last few years. The Battery Power Pack is only Half the system The Solar panels determine IF and how fast you can recharge the Battery Power Pack (BPP)
Solar Panels Dont “store” Power The Solar Panel takes sunlight and converts it to power and then charges the Battery Power Pack. Like when you plug in your phone to a charger on a wall but the sunlight is the outlet. Without Solar Input, even the largest BPP will eventually run empty or “no battery” like on your phone.
Watts Matter More Than the number of Solar Panels Solar panels come in watts of OUTPUT in different sizes: 100 W 200 W 400 W You may get 400 W by using #4, 100W panels. The watts is MAXIMUM production under ideal laboratory conditions like the MPG on a vehicle sticker. A 100W panel may only give 80W in good sunlight.
Match Solar Panel Input to your Battery Size based on Wattage Needs Example; Daily needs = 1500w, get a 2000w Battery Power Pack and #5, 400W Panels to make sure have plenty of recharge power.
*see wattage calculator Article for quick estimates
CAUTION: Some advertising make it seem like the Solar Panels are included with Battery Power Pack, make sure if is a “Bundle” or Sold Seperately.
Peak Sunlight HOurs last about 3-6 hours per day, the rest is “good sunlight”. Meaning a 200w panel may generate roughly 1000watts recharge. 1000W is enough to recharge a medium power station, 500w-1000w size giving you ability to recharge several phones, fans, lights, laptops, or small medical device. **see Real World Usage article
Even Partial Shade can drastically Reduce Output even if only covering one panel of a set of solar panels Do Not Place: under trees or roof over hang or flat on the ground. You need to monitor and may have to adjust angle of panels and direction panels are facing throughout the day to recieve maximum sunlight as the earth revolves around the sun. Set up is 1) Solar Panel(s), 2) to converter power cord goes 3) to the battery pack. Power cords from battery pack to personal items are a different type of cord, use regular charging cable or household extension cord. The Solar converter cord has an inverter that changes the energy from solar to electric. You want to keep the battery power pack in the shade to reduce loss of power, batteries die quicker in heat. If solar panels out in the open (as should be), it may be a ways to shade and will need a longer converter power cord to reach the battery power pack for charging. See how you would set up panels for best output and what cords you may need. Once BPP is charged or if using while BPP is charging (in the shade) you can connect regular household or higher grade extension cords to power items likes fans, charge laptop, phones, etc.
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