If you have ever gone camping, you know how important it is to have a charged phone or tablet. Whether for entertainment or emergencies, your phone might be the most important piece of item you bring.
Needless to say, lugging around an extension cord and generator can be cumbersome when trying to spend time with friends and family in the great outdoors.
That is where portable solar panels come in handy. You do not have to worry about being unable to charge your devices out on the trail when you have portable solar panels. Read on to learn more about how beneficial portable solar panels can be for charging devices in the woods and why they should be your utmost priority.
Why Portable Solar Panels Are a Better Option for Charging Devices in the Wilderness
If you are going camping and need to charge your devices, you have two primary options — bring a fuel generator or portable solar panels.
Portable solar panels have many benefits over a fuel generator for charging your devices while camping or hiking. Here are some of the reasons why they are better:
No Noise
Portable solar panels generate no noise as they charge, making them ideal for those who like peace while camping. Fuel generators make a lot of noise when they operate and can be very disruptive if you want to enjoy nature without being bothered by it.
No Fuel Needed
Portable solar panels do not need any fuel to operate, so there is no need to carry extra fuel with you in case you run out of power. Fuel generators require gasoline or diesel fuel to work correctly, which means you need to carry extra weight on your trip just in case something happens and your fuel runs out before you return home.
Safety
Fuel generators work by burning gas to produce electricity. This process generates a lot of heat which can be dangerous if not handled properly. Solar panels produce electricity without heat, making them much safer than fuel generators. You do not have to worry about fuel or oil spilling if you have an accident with a fuel generator.
Portability
Portable solar panels take up very little space compared to fuel generators when it comes to camping gear or hiking equipment. The panels are small enough to fit inside your backpack or even on top of it without taking up much room.
Easy to Use
Portable solar panels are easy to use because all you have to do is set them up in the sun and wait for them to charge your devices. It does not matter where you place them as long as they are exposed to sunlight. Fuel generators are a bit more complicated because they need regular maintenance and refueling every so often. Also, if it rains or snows, you will be unable to use your fuel generator.
8 Devices and Gadgets That Need Charging While Camping
When you are camping, it is important to pack the right essentials. If you have the right tools and gadgets, you can spend more time enjoying yourself instead of worrying about running out of power.
There are many different types of devices that can be charged with portable solar panels while camping. Here are eight of the most popular items:
1. Phone
A smartphone is one of the most important gadgets that you carry while going on a camping trip. It helps you keep in touch with your family or friends back home. In case of an emergency while camping, a phone can be handy.
However, most of us do not carry our chargers when we go out for a trip, so we have to depend upon our phone batteries only, which drain out quickly if we use them frequently during our trip. But using a portable solar panel while camping will charge your phone as soon as it runs out of battery power, making it easier for you to stay connected all day long without interruption.
2. Laptop
If you want to use your laptop for work or entertainment purposes, you should bring one along with you on your camping trip because laptops need the power to run their functions properly. A laptop uses high amounts of electricity, which will drain its battery quickly. With a portable solar panel charger, you can charge your laptop’s battery anytime during the day so that you can use it with ease.
3. Flashlights
The portable solar panels can also be used to charge flashlights while camping. Flashlights are the most important item that you need to have in your backpack when you go camping. They provide light when it is dark and keep you safe from animals and other dangers.
Flashlights use batteries as their power source. Portable solar panels can charge those batteries while you are in your tent or vehicle. This makes it so that when your batteries run out of juice during an emergency, they will have enough juice to last until help arrives.
4. Wi-Fi Device
If there is one thing that all campers need, it is Wi-Fi. Most people would prefer to stay connected to their social media accounts while on vacation, and they want access to the internet so they can check in with work or school. Some Wi-Fi devices can be charged while plugged in, but if they run out of juice, they will not work anymore until they are charged again. With a portable solar panel, you can keep your device running all day long without worrying about finding an outlet or generator nearby.
5. Speakers
Portable solar panels are also great for charging speakers while camping. Speakers are a great way to make your camping trip more fun and enjoyable by playing music and singing songs around the campfire. There are different types of speakers available in the market, such as Bluetooth speakers, USB-powered speakers, and battery-operated speakers. All these speaker types can be charged using portable solar panels while you are out in nature.
6. GPS Devices
GPS devices are one of the most common devices people bring while camping. These days, most people have a smartphone with them at all times, which makes it very easy to use GPS.
However, some people still prefer using handheld GPS devices as they provide better accuracy and functionality. If you have a handheld GPS device, you can use it even when you are out in the middle of nowhere without being able to charge it. The best way is to use solar panels while camping to keep your device charged at all times.
7. Camera
The camera is another essential item that should be in your backpack when you go camping. It can take photos of the beautiful things you see while on your trip and also help you remember them later. However, cameras need to be charged before you go camping to have enough juice to last through the entire day. This is where portable solar panels come in handy again.
You can charge your camera’s battery by connecting it to a portable solar panel and leaving it in the sun for a few hours. This will allow you to take pictures all day long without worrying about running out of battery life before the end of the trip.
8. E-Readers
Portable solar panels can also be used to charge e-readers. E-readers are a fantastic invention that has made it so that you can carry a library in your pocket. They allow you to read books without turning on a light or using electricity.
To read an e-reader, you need to have batteries. The batteries will run out of power quickly if they are not charged regularly. You can charge the batteries with a portable solar panel while camping so that you do not lose power while reading at night.
Choosing the Best Portable Solar Panels: What to Look Out For
If you are on the lookout for a portable solar panel that can charge your devices and gadgets while camping, you have several options.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a portable solar panel:
Power Needs
In most cases, you can use a portable solar panel to charge small devices like phones and tablets. However, if you plan on charging larger devices like laptops or camping equipment like refrigerators or lights, you will need a larger solar panel to produce more power than smaller ones.
For most people, a 120-watt portable solar panel is sufficient for charging phones and tablets. If you are going on a more extended trip or want to charge several devices at once, consider getting a 200-watt or 350-watt portable solar panel.
Number of Ports
Portable solar panels come with different numbers of ports. The number of ports can be one or two, three or more. If you are planning on using a solar panel for charging multiple devices at once, then look for one with multiple ports so that you do not have to keep swapping out cords from device to device. They also make it easier to charge several devices at once without waiting in line for their turn on the power supply.
Efficiency
All portable solar panels are not created equal; some are more efficient than others. That means they can convert sunlight into electricity more efficiently than others — and therefore generate more power from the same amount of sunlight.
An efficient panel may produce twice as much power from the same light as an inefficient one. So if two panels each have 10 watts of power but one is twice as efficient as the other, it will produce much better output.
Weight
The lighter your portable solar panel, the easier to carry with you when traveling or camping. If you are going on a long trip, weight may not be an issue since your vehicle will have plenty of room to store all of your gear.
However, if you are going on a short trip or plan on backpacking into an area where every ounce counts, weight becomes very important. Most 100-watt portable solar panels weigh between three to twenty six pounds.
Durability
The durability of a portable solar panel is important if you plan on using it in an outdoor environment. You should look for a panel made of strong and durable materials that can withstand bumps, dents, and scratches. Portable solar panels are even waterproof, which is helpful if you plan on using your portable solar panel in rainy weather or near water sources like rivers or lakes.
Moreover, some portable solar panels have to carry cases that protect them from bumps and scratches when traveling or storing them away when not in use. This is especially useful if you plan on keeping your portable solar panel inside your vehicle when traveling, so it does not get damaged by sunlight or dust particles that are floating around inside the cab of your truck or car.
Head Out into the Woods
It’s time to toss out those bulky, expensive fuel generators. The portability of our solar panels coupled with durable construction makes them ideal for weekend camping trips or expeditions into the backcountry. There is no excuse not to take advantage of our fantastic lightweight solar panels the next time you go camping.
