Get Going With Portable Solar Devices

Does portable solar power seem impossible? Since photovoltaic panels have traditionally been so large, solar power for people on the move has generally been impractical. However, advances in technology have made it possible for portable solar devices to be created. There are now solar chargers available that can power a number of different small, hand-held devices on the sun's renewable energy. Here are just a few of the options on the market.

Solio's portable solar charger folds down to an easily carryable size when it's not being used. When you want to provide power to a device such as a PDA, phone, camera, or iPod, you merely infold it, plug it into the device, and leave it in the sun. Since this portable solar charger has interchangeable plugs, it can fit a wide variety of different devices without trouble. Five to seven hours of direct sunlight exposure can keep your iPod full when connected to this charger. Devices that draw less power may need less charging time. If you don't have time to set your devices in the sun, consider just charging the portable solar charger itself. It has a battery that can hold power and then transfer it to your devices at another time.

Another portable solar charger, the Soldius, is made to be even lighter and smaller than the Solio. However, this is because it doesn't contain a battery. This is great if you want power to go straight from the charger to your portable solar devices, and need a very small charger. However, it could be a problem if you want to charge things later. The Soldius is powerful enough to draw some power even from incandescent household lights, and is able to charge most cellphones, most models of iPod, and some PDAs. It has interchangeable plugs to fit each type of device it's compatible with, and can charge most devices in three to four hours of sun. One benefit of the Soldius is that it's strong enough to work on bright days that are overcast. At eight ounces and sized a little larger than an index card, it's easy to carry with you, and designed to resist breakage.

For larger applications, and popular with hikers and backpackers, there are portable solar powerpacks. They contain batteries that charge up in sunlight, and can be used to allow you to run many different electronic devices without plugging into the wall. Whether you want to power a portable cd or dvd player, a television, a fan, or any other small portable electronic device, these power packs can help you do it.