EnergyInformations.com - Energy Information and Online Guide

Portable Solar Energy Power Stations

Portable solar energy power stations may sound, to some, like a dream. They can think of many places where portable solar would be useful, such as the RV they love to take camping, or the boat they use for long fishing trips. They cannot imagine, though, that portable solar energy power stations actually do exist. Portable solar energy power stations have many practical uses, which we will discuss later, but what is portable solar power?

Description of Portable Solar Power

Portable solar power is energy generated from sunlight, the generator being of a size and form that can be moved readily from place to place.

Most portable solar power units use photovoltaic panels (PV panels) in one way or another. Some are amazingly small, and can be carried in a pocket, while others must be moved on a flat-bed trailer or truck. Examples of Portable Solar Power

You may already be using portable solar power without realizing it. The following are examples of different sizes and styles of portable solar power.

1. Pocket calculators have been using portable solar power for years. Expose the calculator to sunlight, and it stores solar power for use. You can then carry this solar power into a field or up a mountain track. 2. Garden lights, or lights around a swimming pool now use portable solar power. If you want to rearrange your lights, or you decide to carry one as a flashlight, the portable solar power goes with you.

3. A multipurpose portable solar power unit is the fold-out solar panel that can be carried in a case the size of your day planner. Wherever you take it, you can open the panel to charge your cell phone battery, GPS, or other similar "gadget" you carry.

4. "Powerfilm" products are paper-thin PV panels ? further examples of portable solar power. These products can be easily carried to charge almost all Lithium, NiCad or NiMH batteries. You can recharge batteries for boom boxes at the beach or while camping. You can recharge your digital camera or camcorder while on a hike. As long as you have sunlight, you have portable solar power.

5. Flexible PV panels, rugged and durable, give portable solar power for hikers and campers. This portable solar power can be rolled up like a sleeping bag, and then set up anywhere. You can drop it, step on it, dampen it while crossing a stream ? and it will still give you power.

6. Larger portable solar energy power stations can consist of one or more photovoltaic panels (PV panels), simple wiring for the input jack, and a battery ? sometimes referred to as a power pack. A commercially-produced portable solar power unit like this may also include a small fluorescent light, and a connection to your vehicle's cigarette lighter plug. Examples of Innovative Portable Solar Power

Portable solar energy can, as we said, be carried with you. It can provide electrical energy when you travel to a remote third world village on business. It can provide military units with necessary electrical energy while they are on the move. It can power a small heater in a winter camping tent, or provide a reading light for campers. It is valuable and convenient.

As our demand for that value and convenience increases, portable solar power is becoming more innovative. Portable solar power is being added to clothing and backpacks. It is being added to handbags. You need never worry about cell phones, laptops or other electronics going dead again. Portable solar power is yours to use, anywhere, free.

Did you know about these products? Some are experimental, but others area on the market.

1. If you want "lady-like" portable solar power, you might choose the "Power Purse" as a lovely accessory. This purse is more than an accessory, though. It can power up small electronics. Designed by Joe Hynek in a handbag competition, this little black bag is covered with laminated portable solar power panels. It has a short plastic handle, and can easily be carried anywhere. Imagine the possibilities.

2. But a purse is not always appropriate. If you're stuck in the middle of nowhere, in a field, you might be happy to have the "Juice Bag" backpack on your shoulders. A Juice Bag is a worldwide patented portable solar power backpack. Flexible ballistic nylon solar panels make it lighter than solar bags with stiff glass solar panels. Take off your Juice Bag when you need to recharge items such as cameras, cell phones, or GPS units. It generates electricity in both direct and indirect sunlight.

3. Portable solar power is also available in a cozy jacket with multiple pockets. Hikers, military personnel, and travelers can fill the pockets with cell phone, GPS, laptop, camera, and other electronic devices. Then slip the 3 ounce portable solar power panel into a special holder on the back of the jacket, and you can generate energy for your electronics.

Portable solar energy power stations make use of these ideas and more. They may be large enough to generate sufficient electrical power for a small village, or small enough to be carried by a child. Whichever it is, portable solar power is definitely "on the go" in many places and in many ways.

?2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about portable solar power at http://www.solar-energy-connection.com. Anna has also posted articles on that site about portable solar power for homes. If you want basic information about portable solar power on cars, you won?t want to miss her article on the subject.

MORE ARTICLES:

Arizona Pool Builder Increases Product Line to Include Energy Efficient and Solar Energy Products
AquavidaPools.com is ramping up to be a premier provider of energy efficient solutions for Arizona pools.

What You Should Know Before Knowing How to Build Solar Power Energy
Before you begin to learn how to build solar power energy, you will need to do a few things to get ready. You will need to assess your house and your location to make sure that solar power will ultimately work for you. You also need to determine exactly what you want to do with your new energy before you learn how to build solar power energy because what you intend to do with it will impact what exactly you will need to build it.

APS Expands Renewable Energy Programs: Solar Energy, 'Green Rate' Choices Enable Customers to Help Environment
APS customers can help usher in a future where energy from the sun, wind and other renewable sources play an ever-increasing role in lighting and cooling Arizona's homes, schools and businesses.

New Index Tracks World's Solar Energy Stocks Benchmark for Emerging Growth Sector
The Ardour Solar Energy Index (Ticker: SOLRX) of 27 global solar energy stocks will commence real-time price dissemination on Monday, April 21.

Build a Solar Power Generator as Alternative Energy
My son and I built a solar power generator for a total of $164 in less than 3 days. We are now enjoying significant cost savings to our electric bill as a result as well as becoming more independent of the grid.

Solar Energy Risks To Health
Solar energy is a potential source of free electricity and water heating. It offers the power to enjoy electrical power in remote areas of the world. It seems to offer health and safety along with power, but does it?

Solar Innovations Gives Tips on Reducing Energy Costs in Greenhouses
Solar Innovations, a manufacturer of custom and standard design greenhouses, offers money saving ideas on becoming a prosperous greenhouse grower without over paying for energy. The endless alternatives in accessories offered by Solar Innovations, combined with their money saving suggestions, help growers to put together an energy efficient, highly functional greenhouse. Navigate through Solar Innovations Greenhouses pages to review all the greenhouse design options and available accessories.

SRECTrade Opens New Jersey Solar Renewable Energy Credit Auction
SRECTrade.com is a new auction service that allows homeowners and small businesses with solar installations in New Jersey to sell the Solar Renewable Energy Credits these systems generate.

One New Solar Energy Stock Added to Ardour Solar Energy Index in Quarterly Rebalancing
The Ardour Solar Energy Index℠ (www.ardourglobalindexes.com) (TICKER: SOLRX) will add one new component, effective 6:00 PM (EST) Sunday, September 21, 2008. No stock will be deleted, changing the number of index components to 35. The changes result from the index?s quarterly rebalancing.

Tulsa Home Builder Responds to Energy Costs and Concerns with Energy Star Standards
PMC Homes, a Tulsa home-building company, has made a commitment to the community and the environment by following the Energy Star program guidelines in every home they build.

Costs of Solar Energy
Affordable Solar Energy The cost of obtaining solar energy is decreasing The cost of solar energy systems and the cost of solar energy panels is more reachable than ever before

Americans for Clean Energy Applauds Renewal of Solar and Wind Energy Tax Credits
Grassroots organization links public's voice to Congress using Facebook.

Solar Energy: Home Made or Purchased?
Want a Home Solar Energy System The thought of not relying on the local power company for electricity, saving all that money in the process by using your won home solar energy system is quite interesting to me

Solar Cars: The Oldest Energy Around
With zero emissions, solar cars present a sunny solution to eco-friendly car buyers It also makes good sense to develop a green car technology that doesn?t call for a complicated infrastructure or any type of fueling station