Solar energy will charge your smartphone: how portable solar batteries work and what you need to know before buying

Solar energy can be useful during outages. Even the simplest solar charging panel can restore energy to a phone's battery, while more powerful ones can power an entire house.

Portable solar panels are useful not only at home, but also during outdoor activities. Special panels convert solar energy into electricity using photovoltaic cells that generate direct current under the influence of sunlight. The generated electricity is stored in a built-in battery inside the power supply.

Low-power portable solar panels

These devices mostly have a power of 5 W to 100 W, which allows you to charge various gadgets, such as smartphones, power banks, tablets, laptops, cameras, flashlights, even car batteries. It all depends on the type of solar panel itself – they may have several charging outputs, but the power may not be enough for everything at once. Therefore, it is recommended to charge power banks first.

Portable solar panels with higher power

These stations usually have a capacity of more than 100 W and an energy storage. They can supply energy to various devices for a long time. They are able to charge several gadgets at the same time due to the presence of several outputs. They can also power small household appliances or even a car refrigerator.

When choosing a portable solar battery, determine the required number of watt-hours based on the devices you plan to charge. Calculate the total power of your devices and how long you plan to use them to find the required power.