The human body is powered by a variety of energy sources. From solar panels, wind turbines, and fossil fuel powered generators, there are many sources that we use to keep ourselves and the planet habitable.
Using a solar panel to charge your phone or laptop can be cost effective ways to reduce your daily bills. For example, Amazon charges $0.99 for the app on their app store which is a very reasonable price.
By charging your device off of the solar panel, you are also contributing to clean water availability as well as climate change efforts.
Contents:
Lighter bulbs
A lesser-known feature of most smartphones and other mobile devices is the capability to run a tiny bit of light by tapping a screen.
This feature is known as a dimmer and can be controlled via the screen or a slider. You can set it to turn off the device’s display after a set number of minutes, or you can turn it on and off as the day goes on!
Many devices have an Eco mode that reduces power consumption when not in use, but not all cases. Some devices do not have this mode disabled, making it impossible to use in complete darkness!
If you are ever unable to switch it off because your device is always on, there are some apps that can help you regulate the light only when needed. This is useful if you are travelling as there are may be no lights available.
Small fans
A small fan is not a sun-top, per se. A small fan is called a mini fan or a compact fan. These are also called mini turbines.
Mini fans are great for people who want a little more air movement but do not want to install a larger roof vent or window air conditioner. They can be manually operated or auto-off.
Auto-off solar power systems let you save on your electric bill by automatically turning the system on and off as the sun moves. Some systems even have a automatic shutoff feature to prevent overuse.
Manuals can be important for making sure your mini fan is working properly and setting up an auto shutoff if needed.
Cell phones or laptop chargers
One of the most common uses for a 45 watt solar panel is as a chargers. Most laptop and phone charges require around 18-24 hours to fully charge, which is why you should always have a solar panel handy to aid in charging your devices!
Because computer and phone charges take so long to charge, many people store their device on the solar panel until it is fully charged. This saves both time and money to purchase a new device or purchase the charger that you use on your current device.
In fact, some companies will only offer devices that are compatible with their charger! This prevents people from buying unenforceable chargers that do not match the specifications of the solar panel. It can also prevent people from using two identical chargers as one person does with a laptop and charger.
Deep cycle batteries
Deep cycle batteries are used to store electricity from the sun and recharge when the sun is down. These are made to be lower maintenance than standard rechargeable batteries.
This type of battery does not require frequent charging as it uses a prolonged method for recharging. This can be a downside as some with larger charges may not be interested in this type of battery.
Having a smaller charge time can be ok when it comes to having a backup plan. For example, if you were going to stay at a hotel in case the sun went down, you would want to have your back up and ready in case you needed power.
As mentioned earlier, rooftop solar panels can not handle large loads. If you were going to need more power during the day, you would have to run the panels and generate more energy!
That is why deep cycle batteries are useful.
12v lights
Around, is a large source of electricity today. That is because they offer so many applications. They help you keep your home or business illuminated during the night and during the day.
They serve as radios, trackers, and lights all in one. They are also an affordable source of electricity to run. As pictured to the right, you would have a small light that tracks your child’s movement and turns on a fan to circulate air around them to reduce heat production.
These sorts of devices are very helpful as they save you time not having to turn on a radiator or heating system if it was freezing outside before winter ended. These sorts of devices also do not require special wiring which can be difficult or costly when only needs a few watts of power.
12v fan
A rare exception is a 45 watt solar panel running a 12 volt fan. This is due to two reasons. First, most 48 or 50 watt solar panels have a limit on the amount of volts they convert to amps.
Most 48 or 50 watt panels offer a maximum of 6 amps, while some offer 8 or 10 watts. This limitation occurs at an important part of the solar panel called its cathode.
This part of the panel measures and uses up the voltage from the 12 volts coming off the battery in combination with one positive and one negative post-marker charge. After that, it must be dormant for years before being re-installed in its new location.
A second reason why a 45 watt solar panel running a 12 volt fan does not convert more power is due to this restriction. ThisSolar Panel Running A 12v Fan Checklist cannot run off of sunshine that does not hold enough charge.
12v battery charger
A important part of charging a battery is having a place to put your battery. A battery cannot be charged in its case! That is why it is called a battery- it holds charge!
Like with any large piece of technology, there are right and wrong ways to use it. An approved tool can help you put your panel into the right position for charging and remove it for storage.
Many people charge their panels using something called a twelve-volt (auxiliary) charger. This way, the panel can be plugged into the charger and charged while still in its case.
If you plan on storing your panel for a long time, an approved tool can help you do that. Just make sure you have this tool on you at all times! It might as well be an automatic one too, since we are always using it.
Automotive battery charger
One of the most common uses for a solar panel is in a automotive battery charger. These cost from $5 to $20 and are designed to charge a cell phone, tablet, or computer using a standard car battery as the power source.
Many companies offer free app updates which update your app status and add new customers, showing you continue to grow your business with your customer base.
If you are already offering an electrical appliance warranty and you want more warranty coverage, go up to the next step!
Figure out how many charging cycles your vehicle needs before it needs to be recharged and bring those numbers down! Another way to save money is to buy less expensive batteries which will have fewer charges than the original battery.