Extended Expeditions With Your Laptop, Netbook, Or MacBook Using Solar Power
First, I’ll start by saying that photos you see of laptop computers plugged into solar panels is misleading, but is typical of photos you will see around the internet on sites promoting solar power. The truth is… you cannot usually charge a laptop directly from a solar panel.
Why?
1. The output voltage of the panel probably won’t match your computer
2. The panel likely doesn’t come with a connector for your computer
3. Laptop batteries are not easily charged from a passive source like solar
4. You certainly cannot ‘run’ a 30 Watt device from a 10 Watt power source
So, how can a solar powered laptop be created?
Actually, it isn’t too difficult, but it does require a little planning.
So here it is. Step-by-step.
1. Choose a solar panel to match your power consumption
We’ll assume that your laptop is like most others, and consumes about 30 Watts while it is running. Some laptops with big dual processors etc can consume up to 100 Watts if they are burning DVDs or other intensive operations. But for our purposes, and assuming that you are a practical person who knows how to dial back their power settings, we will go with the standard number of 30 Watts continuous.
Now, you need to determine your usage time.
How many hours a day do you absolutely have to have on the computer? The bare minimum now, with no coffee breaks. If you use the computer for 1 hour each day, then you will need to offset 30 Watt-Hours with your solar panel, which will equate to a minimum 10 Watt solar panel for most areas (May-Sept).
2. Store the solar power
Sunlight & hence solar power is unpredictable. So most good, reliable, solar power systems provide a means of storing the power produced by the panel so that it can be used when & how it is needed. You can run a 1-Watt GPS direct from a solar panel on a cloudy day, because even on a cloudy day, a 5-Watt solar panel should be able to provide 20% of its peak output (ie 20% of 5Watts = 1Watt).
But what do you do when the device you need to run is larger than the peak output of your solar panel? How can a 10-Watt solar panel power a 30-Watt computer?
Simple, put the solar panel out all day connected to a battery so that all the solar power collected will be stored in the battery. Equipment can then be connected to the battery as needed – batteries are typically able to release more power than was used to charge them, and only their capacity will dictate how long you can run from them.
3. Give the stored power to the laptop
Let’s avoid AC power if possible…
An AC inverter is a small device that converts battery power to household outlet “AC” power.
AC power is something you will want to avoid in a portable power application if at all possible. It is documented in other areas of our website how an AC inverter is quite inefficient, and requires system support that makes portability a bit difficult.
The other, more desirable option is to use a voltage converter to create the power your laptop needs. Whether you are wanting to charge directly from the solar panel, or via your solar power storage battery, the voltage converter will provide the proper voltage for your computer’s battery system.
In conclusion…
Creating a portable solar power system using flexible, foldable solar panels for extended expeditions with your laptop computer requires some careful considerations. Choosing a solar panel that adequately offsets your power consumption. Storing the electricity you generate from the solar panel for later use and to moderate the variable power of the sun. And finally, use a voltage converter, or AC inverter, to provide your laptop with the correct voltage power.
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