Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity. New technologies are making solar panels more performing and more affordable than ever before. You can find small portable models that would allow you to generate electricity during an RV or a camping trip.
How Do Portable Solar Panels Work?
If you have ever looked at the surface of a solar panel, you have probably noticed that these panels are divided into smaller cells. Each photovoltaic cell is made of two thin layers of silicone.
When sunlight hits the panel, photons create an electric field between these two layers of silicone. This electric field is then channeled via thin metallic strips called busbars and stored in a battery, used to power an appliance, or sent to the local energy grid depending on how your system is designed.
Portable solar panels are typically smaller than the panels designed for residential or commercial use. These panels might come with additional features, such as a foldable design, a kickstand, or a carrying case.
Just like regular solar panels, portable models require a few additional devices to produce and store electricity. You will need to connect your portable solar panel to a charge controller to regulate the power output and might need to invest in a battery and in an inverter to convert the power output so you can use it with a regular appliance.
How Much Energy Can You Generate With A Portable Solar Panel?
The amount of electricity a solar panel can generate varies in function of three factors:
- The panel’s efficiency.
- The size of the solar panel.
- Exposure to sunlight.
When shopping for solar panels, you will see panels that produce anywhere from 210 to 320 watts. This corresponds to what the panel can produce in Standard Test Conditions (STC). Your panel will produce a little less than its indicated STC rating since these conditions rarely exist in nature.
You will also need to figure out how many hours of exposure to sunlight the solar panel will get. Shade and a few clouds in the sky can affect how much energy a panel generates.
The average household uses 30 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day. You can realistically expect to meet between five and ten percent of your electricity needs with a portable solar panel.
Portable solar panels will come in handy during a camping or RV trip since you will have fewer appliances to power. Here is what you could use a portable solar panel for:
- A small 45-watt panel could keep your phone charged.
- You could power some LED lights and a mini fridge with a portable 120-watt panel.
- You can maintain basic systems in your RV with a 160-watt panel.
- You will need a 320-watt panel, a battery, and an inverter if you want to go off-grid and still power some appliances.
The Different Components Of A Portable Solar Power System
A solar panel will harvest solar energy and turn it into electricity. However, you are going to need a few additional components to create a functional portable solar power system.
Solar Regulator Or Charge Controller
The purpose of the solar regulator is to maintain a steady flow of electricity between the panel and the battery. Without the regulator, the panel could accidentally overcharge and damage the battery.
Battery
You need to invest in a reliable deep-cycle battery since it will constantly be discharged and recharged. Your battery should be performing enough to store power without getting depleted when you don’t use electricity.
You can use a 12-volt battery with most portable solar panels but might need a battery with a higher volt rating if you want to have several panels in series.
Inverter
Battery store Direct Current (DC) power. An inverter will convert DC power into Alternating Current (AC) power, which is the type of power appliances use.
If you are using a 12-volt battery, your inverter will also adjust the voltage of the current in order to power appliances that run on 120-volt power.
Camping Appliances
If you want to use portable solar panels to power a few small appliances, consider investing in camping appliances. You can find mini-fridges, stoves, slow cookers, coolers, and lights that run on 12-volt DC power.
This means you can power these small appliances with a battery and won’t need to purchase an inverter.
What To Consider When Choosing A Portable Solar Panel
There are a few things to consider when researching portable solar panels.
Types Of Solar Cells
There are three technologies used to make residential solar panels. You will find monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film solar panels.
Monocrystalline panels are more expensive than other technologies, but you can easily find panels with an efficiency of more than 20 percent. These panels use high purity silicone for their solar cells, which makes them more durable and more performant.
Polycrystalline panels are easily recognizable thanks to their blue color. The cells of these panels are made by melting fragments of silicone together, which makes these panels less efficient when compared to monocrystalline panels. Polycrystalline panels tend to be more affordable and could still be adapted to your needs if you want a small portable solar system.
Thin film panels are ideal for portable use because they are lightweight and can be folded or rolled. Their performance is typically under 20 percent, but being able to easily install these panels on a curved surface can make this technology more viable than heavier monocrystalline panels.
Understanding Solar Panel Specs
These are the main specs you should look at when comparing portable solar panels:
- The STC rating or high module efficiency will tell you how the panel performs in ideal conditions.
- Find out how many cells and busbars the panel has.
- Check the performance rating at low irradiance.
- The robust frame load will tell you how well the panel can withstand windstorms or be covered in snow.
- Look for a salt and ammonia resistance rating if you will use the panel near the ocean.
- Find out how long the manufacturer’s warranty will cover the product.
- Check the dimensions and weight of the panel.
- Look at the power ratings, including the maximum nominal power, the voltage at maximum power, and the amperage at maximum output.
- Look for products that meet the IEC 61730 safety standards.
- ISO 14001 compliant panels meet environmental standards, which is ideal for outdoor use.
- Look for the IEC 61215 stamp to make sure the solar panel can withstand a wide range of weather conditions.
- Find out when the panel was manufactured since older products are typically less performing.
Where Will You Use Your Portable Solar Panels?
The amount of power you can generate with a solar panel depends on exposure to sunlight. In the U.S., you would get the best results in New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada.
Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, and California have excellent conditions as well. If you are living or traveling anywhere in the southwest of the U.S., investing in a portable solar energy system is well worth it.
The power output of your solar panel will vary from one season to the next. Factors like overcast weather and even shade will impact how much exposure to sunlight your panel gets.
Look for a panel that is easy to install and adjust so you can get optimal exposure to sunlight and move the panel throughout the day to remain in the path of the sun. A mount with a tilting feature would be a good investment since you would be able to adjust the panels’ orientation easily.
Assess Your Needs
You need to ask yourself how much power you need for your camping or RV trip. If you plan on using a small solar panel at home, decide which appliances you will power with it.
You can easily power a camping cooler or a mini fridge with a small portable solar panel connected to a 12-volt battery. You can add an inverter to this system to watch TV, power a laptop or keep your phone charged.
You might not be able to entirely depend on one of these small solar power systems and might want to bring a generator, or only rely on these smaller systems if you will have access to another source of power at the campground.
If you would like to power your RV battery, you will need to invest in a larger solar power kit and have several panels connected in series. You could easily add more elements to your solar energy system as you become more comfortable with it and decide to use it to power more appliances.
A portable solar panel will make your next camping or RV trip more comfortable and could help you reduce your energy bills at home. You will be able to power a few appliances and keep your phone charged without impacting the environment. Take the time to compare different panels to build a solar energy system adapted to your needs.
