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Portable solar power is the solution for anyone who will be away from power outlets when they need to run or charge their electronic devices. Imagine being able to recharge your laptop or cell phone while out hiking! This technology harnesses sun energy so that you can enjoy the comforts of home in remote locations. In this article, we'll explain how portable solar power works and how you can use it to your advantage. Most portable solar power devices use solar photovoltaic cells which produce electricity when they are exposed to light. They usually consist of panels that contain two layers of different materials. When light hits these two layers, one of the layers becomes positively charged and the other becomes negatively charged. This produces an electric current. The amount of electricity a solar cell produces depends on how strong the sun is and how long the solar power device is exposed. A solar power cell generates electricity faster when the sun is brighter and a device with larger solar panels will produce more electricity than one with smaller panels. Portable solar devices can pack a lot of power in a green, environmentally friendly package. Some solar cells produce only enough current to power small electronic devices. When you are shopping for portable solar power, you will find that different devices have different "watts" ratings. To select the correct solar device, determine what watt rating you need. To find out how many watts you need, look at the output rating of the adapter. It should tell you how many watts the adapter generates. If it doesn't contain this information, then it should contain the ratings for amperes (amps) and volts. Remember that bigger solar panels usually supply more wattage and will power your devices more quickly. But what happens when there isn't enough sunlight available? Some companies sell back-up batteries to go with your solar cell. These batteries can sometimes also be charged from a wall socket or from a car charge adapter. You may want to have a solar cell that you can use while you are hiking or traveling, such as a flexible panel that can be carried on your back. This way, you can charge your small equipment or a backup battery while you are busy enjoying yourself. Keep in mind that while a solar cell performs best in bright sunlight, your other equipment usually doesn't. Some solar cells come with a long cord so you can put your camera or laptop in the shade while they are charging. Portable solar power is the perfect tool to take along when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, but still want the amenities of home. As the technology makes these units cheaper and more compact, it will become even more convenient for consumers. You can now have electricity whenever you want and wherever you want it thanks to sun power.
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Tony Goggin runs the site Science News Live a free resource for science and technology topics. Please visit us for more Solar Power news and technologies.
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