Solar Panels
Solar panels come in many different power outputs measured in wattage and also form factors sizes for different applications. For the camping hiking and outdoor markets folding solar panels are by far the most useful form factor as they can be folded up for easy storage and they are also a lot lighter in weight which is great when out bush. In this section we will go through a few of the common sizes available and also go through their uses advantages and also disadvantages. There is no size fits all when it comes to folding solar panels just your requirements and the space and weight of the panels you can fit in your carry space. For example if you are a hiker or on foot the weight you can allocate to your recharge system will be low so the amount of devices and the size of the devices will be low compared to somebody who is planning on carrying their solar equipment in a 4wd.
7 Watt solar panels are super lightweight solar panels weighing less than 400g and are ideal for hikers wanting to recharge emergency devices like phones or GPS systems. These panels can be clipped to the back of a backpack during the day to harvest power and you can keep your phone or other device plugged into these panels as you walk and have your device recharging as you go. Also you can match these panels with a small power bank and recharge the power bank during the day so you can use the power bank at night time you recharge devices when the sun has gone down. These panels are great for hikers or campers and are also a great addition to any emergency kit for emergency purposes. The 7 watt solar panels come with a single usb output and will charge any device that is usb compatible.
15 watt solar panels are ideal for hiking or camping when a little more power is needed. The 15 watt solar panel has 2 usb outputs so you can recharge a phone during the day while also topping up a 10000mah solar power bank or 20000mah power bank. The unit weights around 400 grams so is super light for such a large panel and can also be folded up to fit neatly into a small backpack or bag. These units are great for emergency go bags or just to keep under the seat of your car or 4wd for emergency purposes.
The 21 watt solar panel will will charge those devices a bit quicker that the 14 watt unit and also offers 2 usb outputs for multiple devices. The 21 watt is also suitable for recharging those larger power banks over 20000mah and also some power banks designed for laptops. The surface area is ideal if carrying larger backpacks but even if you carry a smaller backpack the unit can be folded smaller and still used. The panel comes with loops for attaching for most standard backpacks.
The 30 watt solar panels are ideal for those larger items that need recharging as they have usb output and also 12v output so devices that would be charged through cigarette lighter can be charged directly through the 30 watt panels using the supplied 12v cigarette lighter cable. The 30 watt panel is a little large for hiking but ideal for people in a car or 4wd. The 30 Watt panels are great for topping up multiple devices during the day like phones, cameras and power banks. These solar panels are a great edition to a 4wd breakdown or emergency kit and can get you charged up quickly.
100 watt solar panels like the Nomad 100 are great for topping up and recharging much larger power banks like the yeti 150, yeti 400, yeti 1250 and also the new lithium Goal zero 3000 lithium and 1400 Lithium. Its large surface area is great for those larger devices and if you need even quicker recharging several nomad 100 panels can be daisy chained together to increase the wattage for faster charging. At 4.5 kg the nomad 100 is quite a lightweight panel considering its output and does a great job recharging when 4wd camping or for off grid temporary shelters.
As with all things in life there has to be a compromise and solar panels are no exception. Hopefully the information above will help with choosing the right kit for your needs or close to it. If unsure of which solar panel to go with give us a call and one of our team members at www.eliteoutdoorgear.com.au will be more than happy to help go through your requirements.
