If you are looking for a power source for a sports event or other outdoor activities, a portable solar panel can be an excellent choice. Many people plan sports events but are concerned about the power running out and disrupting the whole thing. Or simply not having enough electricity available for the event.
Portable solar panels, in this regard, can equip you with the power you need to keep the fans, refrigerators, and computers running, as well as to charge phones, tablets, or any other electronic devices.
In this guide, we will cover all you need to know about using portable solar panels for outdoor sports events.
How Do Portable Solar Panels Work?
A typical portable panel is typically enclosed in a protective sleeve composed of mesh cloth or plastic, as opposed to a solar panel that you might install on your roof, which is mounted in a rigid, fixed frame and sealed beneath glass.
A normal rooftop solar panel produces 300 watts or more, whereas smaller, less priced (under $50) panels only produce 5 to 50 watts. While bigger panels may include two or three panels in a folding casing, smaller panels are frequently made of a single silicon solar cell sheet.
The panels have a basic jack or group of jacks to supply electricity to various devices. A USB port and a DC output connection are likely to be present, enabling customers to directly charge their smartphones or laptops.
Portable lithium-ion batteries are most often used in conjunction with portable solar panels to ensure that the panels' energy can be utilised in any environment (the battery cannot be charged while it is in use, though). The batteries can have a wider variety of output devices, including DC output jacks and common domestic 120-volt AC outlets.
Although some of the larger panels' output can be comparable with that of a typical rooftop panel, portable solar panels are not designed to replace their conventional counterparts. They lack the voltage regulation and structural integrity of a properly built rooftop solar system, by design.
Crystalline silicon wafers, which absorb sunlight, are used in the construction of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The word "photovoltaic" refers to a system in which sunlight's photons dislodge electrons from silicon material to produce a current along the cells' electrical conductors.
Benefits of Using Portable Solar Panels for Outdoor Sports Events
Versatility
Portable solar panels can be configured for various tasks or activities. Whether you need to operate appliances or charge devices, portable solar panels have your back.
Hence, they allow you to organise a topnotch sports event without worrying about the availability of conventional electrical power.
Environmentally Friendly
Another major benefit of portable solar panels is that they help preserve the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
As you know, solar panels make use of the limitless sunlight to generate electricity, instead of burning fossil fuels. Hence, portable solar panels do not produce any smoke, odour, or other toxic gases, and thus do not contribute to the pressing issue of global warming.
Using conventional, grid-supplied electricity requires you to rely on electricity companies and the dangerous methods and processes they employ to generate and distribute power. A portable solar panel is a great way to fulfil your electricity needs without harming the planet.
Low Maintenance Cost
Generally, portable solar panels have a lifespan of 20-30 years and, throughout this period, require very little maintenance.
To maximise efficiency, you can get your solar panels cleaned once a month. Also, all our solar panels come with at least a 12-month guarantee; if you have any issues with your solar panel during this period, you can reach out to us, and we will either rectify the problem or replace your portable solar panel.
Premium Solar Cells
Generally, portable solar panels are monocrystalline and, therefore, have a much higher efficiency rating than conventional solar panels.
The silicon is first made into bars during the production process, and then it is sliced into wafers of monocrystalline cells. The ‘term’ monocrystalline refers to the use of single-crystal silicon. The single-crystal silicon allows electrons to move more freely, which increases the amount of electricity the panel can deliver to the object being charged.
Overcharge Protection
Charge controllers are included with certain portable solar panels. These charge controllers provide overcharge protection.
Additionally, these controllers sometimes offer capabilities like quick charging. In essence, they regulate the rate at which batteries' electric current flows. Devices may suffer damage if charge controllers are not used.
Another application of charge controllers is protection against overvoltage. Overvoltage can drastically reduce the performance of the panel battery. Keep in mind that both over-current and overvoltage poses drastic safety risks.
For this reason, it is best to go for a portable solar panel that comes with a charge controller.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Portable Solar Panel for Outdoor Sports Events
Even though the majority of portable solar panels can be easily installed and used, there are always a lot of factors to take into account when purchasing a new piece of equipment. We've compiled the factors you need to consider before buying a solar panel for an outdoor sports event.
Wattage
Determine how much electricity you'll require first. Portable solar panels are available in a variety of wattages. Wattage is the unit used to measure electrical power.
The higher the wattage of a portable solar panel is, the more expensive it is going to be. The devices you are going to power will help you decide the right wattage for your portable panel.
That is not to say that lower-wattage portable panels will be useless; only that they will take longer to charge or power your devices. For optimum results, determine how much power your device's charging wires can deliver by looking at its specifications. This will help you avoid purchasing a panel whose wattage is too high for your devices.
Power Storage Options
Typically, portable solar panels come with the batteries and wires you will need to store electricity for future use. A power bank is useful if your sports event will stretch into the evening or night when sunlight is no longer available. If you plan to store energy for later, make sure to buy a portable solar panel that comes with the required batteries, connectors, and converters.
You can also forego the attachments and start using your solar electricity right away. There are USB connectors on several portable panels that let you directly charge your equipment. On a sunny day, a compact, lightweight solution can be all you need to power your outdoor sports events. Excluding batteries and connections from your solar setup can also help keep costs down.
Weather Resistance
While most portable solar panels are somewhat resistant to weather, only a few are genuinely waterproof. You do not want your portable panel to break down and leave you without power in the middle of the event simply because it was not built to withstand the weather. Check the durability of your panel before you buy, taking into account the frequency of your outdoor events and the local weather.
Price
Last but definitely not least, you will need to consider the amount you can spend on a portable solar panel. The price will depend upon the panel’s overall size, energy storage features, and power output. Small power packs containing solar components can be purchased for $20 to $30, while a larger (and more potent) panel can cost up to several hundred dollars.
Whatever your needs may be, there is a portable solar panel out there that can help you conduct your outdoor sports event without relying on conventional energy sources.
How to Maximize the Efficiency of Your Portable Solar Panels
Get the Panels Cleaned Regularly
While solar panels can self-clean, the buildup of dust, dirt, or oils can reduce their efficiency.
Fortunately, since solar panels are made of glass, cleaning them is quick and easy. It should not be hard for you to get rid of the dirt and dust on your solar panels and enhance their efficiency. Make sure to use warm water and a soft sponge to clean the panels. It would be better to avoid using a rough sponge since it could scrape the surface of your solar panel. Once rainfall enters the module through these scratches, it could destroy the entire panel.
Another good thing is that solar panels need not be cleaned every day. In fact, cleaning them once a month or even a few times a year is good enough to maintain optimal efficiency. That said, it is important to clean the panels during the winters since snowflakes build up on the panels’ surface and can keep sunlight from reaching the photovoltaic cells.
If you are concerned about cleaning the solar panels yourself, you can always hire a professional. These professionals can do an excellent job of cleaning your portable solar panel without endangering its safety or efficiency.
Buy a Backup Battery
You should think about getting solar batteries after purchasing solar panels. They are available in many varieties, depending on your budget. Alongside a backup battery, you must also consider investing in solar lights, solar lamps, and solar umbrellas that all come with in-built solar panels. During the day, you can charge your primary battery under the sun and ensure that it is fully charged in case of a blackout.
With a backup battery, you can ensure that your sports event is not left without electricity in case of a power outage.
Avoid Placing the Panels in Shaded Areas
Sunlight is obviously the main source of energy for your solar panel. Hence, you should avoid keeping the panel in shaded areas. This factor is often overlooked by first-time users, but can have a significant impact on the efficiency of your portable solar panel.
The solar panel's cells are typically wired in series. This means that, even if a single cell is not receiving enough sunlight, it starts acting as a resistor and diminishes the efficiency of all other cells in the series.
Hence, make sure that any tall structures like trees, chimneys, or buildings are not preventing the portable solar panels from accessing direct sunlight. The more directly sunlight strikes the panels, the more efficiently they will be able to convert that sunlight into electricity.
Power Your Outdoor Sports Event with Portable Solar Panels
To sum up, portable solar panels can be an excellent addition to any outdoor sports events, and can be used to power or charge a number of essential electrical devices like refrigerators, portable fans, computers or laptops, and mobile phones. A portable solar panel can also serve as a potent backup in case you experience a power outage in the middle of the event.
If you are looking for a portable solar generator for your outdoor sports event, check out our wide range of options. We offer a number of portable solar generators and can help you pick the one that best serves your budget and power requirements.
To learn more about portable solar generators for outdoor sports events and explore your options, please feel free to reach out to us.
