Portable solar charger. Review and comparison of portable solar chargers

Solar battery for charging your phone, tablet, laptop is quite easy to assemble. You will need affordable and cheap components.

There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Factory products consist of 5-6 volt mini-cells, a charge controller and a built-in battery that stores energy. The electrical connection between the individual elements is made through Schottky diodes. These low junction resistance diodes are needed to prevent reverse current flow between the two battery cells.

So, you just need to have:

• several solar panels;
• the same number of Schottky diodes;
• mini USB cable or other cable suitable for connecting to the device being charged;
• charge controller;
• battery with as much capacity as possible.

In order for the mobile phone to reliably charge when the sun hides behind the clouds from time to time, you will need to assemble a panel with an output current of 1000 mA at 5–6 V or 300 mA at 12 V. The more powerful the solar generator, the less you will depend on the open bright sun.

A solar battery without a controller has one drawback - it can drain your phone instead of charging it. In bad weather, the voltage at the output of a homemade device may become lower than that of a mobile phone battery. It’s unpleasant, but current will flow from an already discharged battery to an incorrectly assembled generator.

A car phone charger converts the 7-30 input voltage to a stable 5 volts. Such a device can be used in a homemade project as a charging controller for a phone or tablet.

Your DIY alternative energy source produces less than 5 volts. Then use a boost voltage converter. Even if half a volt is generated, then with a step-up stabilizer you can get 5 V. Thanks to it, you can use weak black sockets from garden lanterns. It is possible to assemble a solar battery from transistors. True, transistors in generator mode produce a very weak current, so the phone will charge for at least a week.

You need to solder the assembled battery to the voltage converter directly, without using diodes.

To prevent the converter board from dangling, glue it to the back of the solar panel or push it into its original case.

It is convenient to use a bent bank card or a business card made of thick cardboard as a stand for a homemade solar battery.

Having various adapters, you can charge any mobile phone or tablet from a homemade charger.

Now you are independent from outlets, and can enjoy the conveniences of civilization outside the city, in nature, for a long time.

As for costs: one 100 mA solar cell will cost 3–5 dollars, prices for automotive voltage converters start at 2 dollars, and you can actually do without a built-in battery.

DIY USB charger for Ni-Mh batteries DIY charger for lithium batteries How to make a simple Power Bank with your own hands: diagram of a homemade power bank

The most common chargers with photovoltaic panels are always equipped with USB ports, which are suitable for powering almost any equipment that can be charged from a computer or laptop. It could be a mobile phone, player, tablet or any other electronic gadget. Some models of solar panels can even power a laptop or TV. Also, in recent years, manufacturers have been actively thinking about releasing solar-powered smartphones.

What is the device

Equipment

Obtaining electrical energy by absorbing solar heat is not new for a long time and has crossed the borders of the exotic in the field of technology. Often, such batteries are usually used on large systems that are capable of providing adequate power to a hotel, private house or cottage far from the city. For example, near the sea coast or far in the mountains, where there is no access to electricity or where it is not feasible from a financial point of view.

Technological progress is growing and the efficiency of photovoltaic cells, which are absorbers of solar energy, is also improving.

Now they have decreased in size so much that they can work as portable portable devices for recharging small equipment. Today, no one will be surprised by actively placed panels that absorb light energy on poles that provide lighting for parking meters or road signs. Also, no one is surprised by the mass production of solar panels for mobile phones for use in city apartments and tents on camping trips.

How much does a solar battery cost?

The price for the simplest phones from a Chinese manufacturer, which have their own registered brand, starts at $20. If you pay attention to “no-name” devices, you can buy them for $15, but no one will give you a guarantee that the battery will work for at least several months.

With $50 on hand, you can buy a solar charger for laptops with a high-capacity battery in a convenient case. In addition, the battery can be equipped with voltage switches and a collection of charging connectors for various devices.

Watch the video, review of charging devices:

For $100 or more, you can buy a mobile solar battery with excellent photovoltaic plates and serious charging capacity that can power mid-sized devices like a laptop or TV.

If you are not very good at physics, it is difficult to distinguish an ampere from a volt; you need to understand this area in more detail in order to understand some of the nuances of the operation of electronic devices. This will help you take equipment with sufficient power and not overpay for unnecessary volume, which also affects the weight of the device.

Power selection

Batteries capable of delivering power within 3.5 watts are analogous to the output of conventional USB-2.0, which is now equipped with tablets and laptops. They can charge weak phones and other small equipment with a battery capacity not exceeding 1000 mAh.

Batteries with 10 watts of output are equivalent to a cigarette lighter in a car and are suitable for similar needs of the above battery, but with a more capacious and powerful battery. Researching the market, it is safe to say that solar phone charging batteries account for 50% of the market share of all portable solar chargers. They often have one photovoltaic panel with dimensions of 200 * 150 millimeters.

Watch the video, selection criteria:

20 watts is enough to charge powerful tablets, ultrabooks and some not very powerful laptops with low-capacity batteries. To find out if a solar charger for tablets and laptops can power your device, look at the power supply (battery) consumption.

More powerful (50-watt) household batteries with a photovoltaic panel would be an excellent device for powering a laptop, TV, or any other portable gadget that requires power from electricity. The only disadvantage of such batteries is their weight, which can reach 10 kilograms. They are convenient to use in camps, country houses and buildings where it is necessary to use this battery as an alternative or emergency power source for 1-2 network devices.

All solar mobile batteries have almost the same full charge time. It is equal to 8-10 hours of exposure to direct sunlight.

Voltage

Having selected the required battery power, you can not pay attention to the voltage, however, we advise you to compare whether the parameters correspond to each other.

To charge a phone with a solar battery and other small gadgets, an output voltage of 9 volts is sufficient.

If you need to power a laptop, tablets and other equipment of this kind, you need to choose a voltage of 12-24 volts.

More powerful devices are already equipped with an output voltage switch, which can be adjusted to suit the charging of certain equipment.

Equipment

When purchasing a phone with a solar battery, it is very important to pay attention to the container in which the photovoltaic panel is located.

Watch the video and see what the device includes:

Considering the fact that the weather can be completely unpredictable, as well as your actions, it is therefore better to take care of a sealed, waterproof container that contains the battery and the panel that absorbs the charge.

Many branded solar batteries for charging a laptop come with a large set of tips for other devices: phones, GPS, tablets, etc. Chinese batteries and various “nonames” are supplied with a minimal set of adapters, or even without them at all.

Form factor

Based on form factor, portable solar panels are divided into the following types:

• Simple panels that work with the phone and solar battery directly without a charge storage unit inside the panel. The advantage of such panels is that they weigh little, but because of this they can charge the device or power it only in sunny times.
• Monoblocks (battery + solar panel) are much more expensive and heavier. Such a device can be exposed to the sun during the day, and at night the accumulated charge can be used.
• The folding phone is an analogue of the old toad mobile phones. The advantages of this type are its compactness. They don't take up much space. When not needed, they close tightly to prevent the entry of foreign objects.
• Flexible plates are one of the most popular types of mobile solar panels due to their mounting. They can be attached to a hiking backpack or bag.

Materials

In the manufacture of solar panels for charging phones, powered by solar energy, poly- and monocrystalline silicon are used. Polycrystalline modules are slightly lower in cost, but they very quickly lose their charge storage efficiency. A striking example is garden decorative lamps. Every month they begin to fade more and more. The problem here is not the quality of the battery or the length of the day. And in the efficiency of the panel, which constantly tends to zero.

Watch the video, a powerful charging device:

The photocells on the panel are covered with laminating film or textured tempered glass. When you buy a solar panel with a laminated coating, your charging gadget will become vulnerable during the cold season. When it freezes, the laminate shrinks, desealing occurs, after which the module may freeze.

Textured glass increases the irradiation power of the panels by up to 15%, which speeds up battery charging.

Recommendations for using portable solar panels.

• Maximum efficiency of the panels is achieved with a perpendicular arrangement of relative sunlight.
• If the battery is used in a vehicle or home, try to position it so that it is facing the outside. Window glass absorbs about a third of the total power of the sun's rays.
• When charging a powerful device with a weak charger, it is better to turn it off. For example, phones with 2 SIM cards consume approximately 50-100 mAh when in offline mode.

Do you go hiking often or are you constantly on the move? In the hot summer, even the most notorious geek strives to get away from the concrete jungle - to the seas, oceans, and forests. Someone chooses a hotel and completely loses the hassle of maintaining themselves and their gadgets (sockets and showers are, after all, brilliant inventions). Well, we, lovers of wild nature and multi-day hikes, encounter a number of problems, one of which is the lack of sockets. But there is one difference between an advanced and resourceful user and an ordinary person - he will use the scorching sun for his own selfish purposes. How? Of course, charge your tablet or smartphone using solar-powered portable chargers!

But there are so many of them... From expensive branded ones to cheap ones. How to figure it out? How are they different? What do customers praise? Read our review, we have selected for you the 5 best chargers for all occasions.

Pros of solar charging:

• A paradise for those who like to save money - charge your gadgets without using sockets.
• Quickly charge your gadget within 2-3 hours anywhere there is sun.
• Quite low price and long service life (more than 5 years).

Disadvantages of chargers:

• The size of most devices (especially those capable of charging large gadgets like a laptop) is large enough to be transported in a pocket. The minimum folded size of a large charger is ~20x15 cm. The power bank is definitely more convenient for transportation - 15x7 cm, without the need to unfold the device. Such a gadget will easily fit into your pocket along with a smartphone connected to it.
• This type of charging is only effective in sunny weather and does not accumulate charge! This means there is a high chance of being left with discharged gadgets after sunset. This rule, of course, does not apply to power banks (external batteries).
• The need to deploy some particularly large chargers to connect to your gadgets.

How to choose a portable solar charger or an external battery?

Let's now figure out what characteristics are necessary for “survival” in hot summer conditions. What should you pay attention to first?

• Waterproof

Splashes of summer rain or a wet towel carelessly thrown nearby can kill any gadget, so the most important point is water resistance.

• Compatible with various gadgets

An iPad, an Android smartphone, your favorite soap dish - and all with different interfaces. Carrying three different devices with you for recharging is not very convenient. Therefore, our choice is models with extended compatibility.

• Compactness

You don't want to lug around a mini power plant, right? The more flexible, thin and ergonomic the charger, the better. Pay special attention to “flexible” models - such a device will not break if it falls to the ground.

• Price

To save or not? The question is complex and depends on your financial capabilities. Our top list presents the best options in terms of price/quality ratio. In any case, it is hardly worth paying more than 2,000 rubles for an external battery, or more than 7,500 rubles for a solar charger for a laptop (although we will still consider one premium model below). But we also don’t recommend the no-name model for 300 rubles.

We have selected for you the 5 best models in different categories:

• universal solar charger
• powerful solar charger for laptop
• External solar battery for phone
• solar-powered charger in the form of a backpack.

The best universal solar charger

There are 2 models at a similar price competing for the title of best universal solar charger:

1. Solar Charger (Upgrade Version), CHOE 19W 2-Port Solar Phone Charger(power 19W), worth 3500 rub.
2. Anker 21W 2-Port USB Solar Charger– more powerful (21W) product for the price 4000 rub.

Both models combine all the necessary qualities and provide enough power to simultaneously charge two smartphones in a couple of hours. And despite the fact that the CHOE charger has less power, it is not inferior to the Anker 21W in solar energy conversion and also promises to convert up to 23% of the sun's energy into charge energy.

They won’t fit in a pocket, but they will feel comfortable in a backpack without taking up much space. Both models have 3 solar panels, which is enough for phones, but not enough for a laptop (the next model is for that).

As for compatibility, all the necessary interfaces are available. You can connect all modern mobile gadgets on both iOS and Android.

Thanks to the metal rings on the surface of each of these models, you won't need to stop and unfold them - you just need to attach the device to your backpack and catch the sun right on the go.

The best solar charger for a laptop

ALLPOWERS 28W Foldable Solar Panel Laptop Charger

Unfortunately, not all such devices have the power to charge large gadgets like a laptop, so we turn to a “larger” model. There are 8 panels here; produces 28 watts of power, which will be enough to fully charge a 5000 mA battery in a laptop in 3 hours. Smartphones and tablets - in about the same time. Of course, subject to sunny weather. It must be said that the dimensions are noticeable only when unfolded - when folded, the charger is a compact bag that can easily fit into a backpack. The kit includes a bunch of adapters that are compatible with all modern laptop models, so the question of compatibility automatically disappears. There is also an interface that allows you to charge mobile gadgets using micro-USB. Hence the rather high price tag. But let's face it - he's fair.

The only negative is susceptibility to climate change. It is highly not recommended to use the device in pouring rain or near a fire.

The best solar mobile charger for your smartphone or iPhone

Portable solar power bank

If you don’t want to carry a charging folder with you, but will only charge mobile gadgets, pay attention to this external acc. As you understand, the main difference between this model and the previous two is that it stores energy, and you can charge it not only during the day, but also at night.

Waterproof, with a rubber shockproof casing, weighing only 317g, easily fits into your pocket, with a built-in flashlight - isn't this the ideal battery for everyday use? Add in a price tag of 2,000 rubles and we get a pure must-have for any practical user. But you won’t be able to charge anything larger than a smartphone or tablet from such a baby.

The best solar charger in the form of a backpack

SunLabz® Solar Charger Backpack (7w) INCLUDING 10,000 mAh Power Bank and 1.8L Hydration Pack

And another indispensable companion for traveling through the stone and real jungle is a backpack with solar panels. It is not one of the largest in size, but a 14” laptop with a bunch of useful little things will fit. The 6W solar panel hides a pocket underneath where connected gadgets are located. It’s a small thing, but the question of “where to put it” is automatically resolved. All devices are connected via a micro-USB cable that produces 5V.

The backpack comes with a 10 mA power bank, which produces the same 5V, sufficient to charge all portable gadgets. The volume is enough for two full charging cycles of the smartphone. Unfortunately, the included drive does not have a protective casing or a carabiner for fastening. Also, a disadvantage for tall people, especially men, can be the size - such a backpack will look too comical on an oversized back. This thing is worth it~ 3500.

SOLSOL Solar Hat

And finally, we have prepared a bonus for you - a promising unusual solar charger in the shape of a fashionable cap for ~ 3500. A promising project appeared on Indiegogo in the spring of 2016, and now such a cap is widely available for sale. If classic power banks and solar panels are too boring and banal for you and you want not only a useful gadget, but also a stylish accessory, pay attention to SOLSOL. The visor of this cap will definitely not go unnoticed in the crowd.

The only thing that can raise doubts is the convenience of such a cap. Devices are connected to it using a micro-USB cable to a connector hidden in the back of the cap. Whether you carry a connected smartphone in your hands or find a long wire that will reach the nearest pocket is up to you. The visor produces a power of 1 50mA - 278mA - quite enough for a standard smartphone charging cycle (2-3 hours). There are no protruding parts inside the cap, only a wire connecting the solar panels to the USB output.

The manufacturer did not limit itself to one color, and Solar Hat is presented in five colors. The device definitely deserves attention - it will be especially appreciated by adherents of a “green” lifestyle. Well, if you show up to their party wearing such a cap, you will definitely find yourself in the center of attention.

Let's summarize everything using a comparison table:

The idea of ​​purchasing a solar battery to charge any mobile device arose quite a long time ago, so I decided to purchase a small battery to charge, say, a phone or GPS navigator. The need for such a solar-charged device became urgent before a two-week autonomous trip to the mountains, as I am keen on hiking.

Solar Power Bank 2600mah is one of the best solar batteries for charging your phone today. It was purchased on Ali in advance (for about 900 rubles), in order to have the opportunity to test it before the trip, because you didn’t want to take a useless thing with you; on such trips, the weight and expediency of every little thing is usually taken into account.

And after the product arrived, I immediately started writing my subjective review of the solar battery for charging the phone. So, let's start with the appearance. The store had an excellent assortment of colors, but I purposefully took the darkest one, rather believing that when charging from the sun, the dark color may be important for greater heating. But this turned out to be a wasted choice, because the solar charge element itself is absolutely the same in each battery, and the metal colored part on the side that should be facing the sun has a small area. If we further consider the appearance of this device, then the next point that you pay attention to when you pick it up is the size. For this battery they are 12.6 x 6.3 x 1.7 cm, which is quite comparable to the size of a regular smartphone. Frankly speaking, this device is not miniature in size, but this is most likely due to the need to have a large area for charging from solar energy.

Now I'll move on to main disadvantages that were noticed during use. The first and most noticeable of them is using mini-USB to connect the battery. The usual micro-USB, which would be quite expected in this case, unfortunately, was not used. This introduces inconvenience, because if desired, the battery can be charged from the network or computer, and not just from the sun, and for this you need to have two cords with you. One for charging the battery, the other for charging, say, a phone from the battery itself. By the way, the battery comes with only one, small, twenty-centimeter cord, which is inconvenient. One gets the impression that this battery is obsolete or was released during the popularity of mini-USB connectors.

The second drawback, which in principle can be tolerated, is slow charging process. If when connecting to a network or to a computer it works as usual, then when connecting to a phone you need to wait a much longer time, which can be annoying.

Another drawback, but a minor one, is that this The battery looks quite fragile. It seems that if you accidentally drop it, it will break. Therefore, it should be handled carefully.

Now let's move on to pros. The first and most useful, one might say, the main one, is undoubtedly the possibility of using the charge received from sunlight. Moreover The battery can be used even in indirect light, say, leaving it on the window on a sunny day and even with the curtains drawn. The solar battery will be charged even in these cases, which will be indicated by a green light. This is very convenient, because it indicates that the battery is charging. If you connect a phone to it, then, on the contrary, it starts to glow red. Declared power enough to fully charge my phone.

This battery is quite useful in the household, but requires some fiddling. It needs to be monitored and exposed to sunlight. In my little things that live in my bag every day, this battery did not take root. So I gave it to my husband. With the interest characteristic of men, he began to test and test it both for durability and for the ability to charge on gloomy or rainy days. My husband uses it and is satisfied; for himself, I would buy a smaller, more compact and lighter version of a mobile phone charger.

My verdict - this charger never went on a hike. Other reviews about the solar battery for charging a phone of this brand may differ from mine, but I still think that the need to purchase it is quite controversial. But for a change, the acquisition has a certain novelty and usefulness.

Producing electrical energy through solar energy is no longer news. This process has been almost completely studied and has moved from exotic to the category of ordinary technologies. Devices of this type are used, as a rule, in large systems that can provide energy to a hotel, cottage or small private house far from the benefits of civilization, and high-voltage towers in particular.

Technological progress is advancing by leaps and bounds, and the efficiency of solar panels is also growing. Today's solar batteries have shrunk so much that they are ready to power small equipment. Few people are surprised by light panels on poles that provide electricity for parking meters or road signs. The same can be said about solar panels for charging a mobile phone, tablet or laptop. This gadget is simply irreplaceable for hiking trips and simple outings into nature.

Price issue

The cost of a budget solar battery for charging a phone from some Chinese manufacturer ranges around 1,500 rubles. This is if we talk about an officially registered brand that at least fights in the slightest degree for quality and its name. Reviews about such devices are generally not the most flattering: a good half of users complain about the mediocre assembly, where backlashes, creaks and other minor defects are the rule, and some complain about unstable operation. So such gadgets are, by and large, a pig in a poke: depending on your luck.

In the frankly cheap segment, you can find garage-assembled no-name gadgets for 1,000 rubles or even less, but there are no guarantees to speak of. Reviews about this segment are easily predictable and unambiguous. Such solar panels for charging phones can crumble in your hands after a couple of days of use, so it is better to avoid such purchases altogether, especially for equipment of this kind.

Middle segment

Devices costing more than 3,000 rubles are made by more or less famous brands that value their reputation, as well as their customers. Therefore, it is quite difficult to make a mistake in choosing, and you need to pay attention to the technical characteristics of a portable phone charger with a solar battery, which will be optimal for your gadget.

Reviews about this segment are mostly positive. Of course, there are some minor flaws or shortcomings, but they cannot be called critical. There are also rare complaints about the build quality and the current output, but again, nothing serious.

Premium segment

For 7 thousand or more you can buy a powerful solar battery for charging your phone with excellent photovoltaic plates and impressive capacity. Here we are already talking about powering laptops and small TVs, so there will definitely be no problems with charging smartphones and tablets.

Sometimes in this segment you can find negative reviews, but it will be something like “I didn’t like the appearance, color and smell,” and you won’t see any serious design or technical complaints in this niche.

On your own

Some especially suffering users are wondering whether and how they can make a solar battery for charging their phone with their own hands. Of course, you can, but you need to understand that this is a high-tech electrical device and the assembly process is far from sculpting some kind of origami. This requires knowledge and experience in this area.

You need to understand photocells, be able to calculate the load, have an idea of ​​micro-soldering, and on top of everything else, you will have to work as a carpenter to make a good frame. All the elements for assembly will need to be purchased again, and high-quality materials cannot be cheap, so you should think again about whether you need a solar battery made by yourself to charge your phone.

Types of devices

All devices of this type can be divided into four types. They differ from each other in terms of power. Devices that produce 1.5 W or less are a kind of analogue of a regular USB port version 2.0 that comes with computers and laptops. Such USB solar batteries for charging your phone can handle modest gadgets whose battery does not exceed 1000 mAh.

10-watt devices can already handle batteries up to 3000 mAh, and 20-watt devices up to 5000 mAh. 50 watts is enough to power a small TV or laptop. But here it is worth considering one important factor - weight. If a solar battery for charging a phone at 10 or 20 W weighs about 3-5 kilograms, then a serious 50-watt device will pull all of 10 kg.

Popular models of solar panels

Next, we will consider several models of such devices that have distinguished themselves by their quality components, are in good demand among domestic consumers and have a lot of positive reviews on specialized forums.

Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit

Against the backdrop of Chinese-made “sunflowers” ​​that are as similar as two peas in a pod, this model looks very interesting. It is noteworthy that the device consists of two parts: a block of replaceable AA batteries and the Nomad 7 class solar panel itself (fabric base).

The set with the device prudently included 4 AA elements and an adapter for the rare AAA type. The manufacturer equipped the model with a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, which caused some confusion among knowledgeable users, because although this class charges noticeably faster, it quickly loses charge at low temperatures. But on the other hand, we are dealing with a solar (!) battery, so we cannot expect severe frosts during operation.

The device looks expensive and inspires confidence. The large working area allows you to easily generate high current, and the folding design will be convenient for any traveler, as well as for a backpack/bag. This model is a simple, elegant and effective solution for your mobile gadgets, not only phones, but also tablets and laptops. Reviews for the solar battery for charging the phone Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit are entirely positive, and no critical shortcomings were noticed.

The estimated cost is about 8,000 rubles.

Sititek Sun-Battery SC-09

The designers “modestly” call their brainchild an autonomous power supply system and especially emphasize the fact that this solar battery can be connected in three ways: through a high-output solar panel, using a network adapter, and via the USB port of a personal computer or laptop.

The panel is made of monocrystalline stone, so the charging speed of the element is very good. In addition, despite the rather affordable price tag, the model was distinguished by its high output current. Not all competing models in this segment can boast dual-amp ports, while the Sititek Sun-Battery SC-09 can cope not only with all smartphones, but also with a powerful tablet or average laptop.

The model received a lot of positive reviews on specialized forums and high marks from experts. Users appreciated the technical capabilities of the solar battery and its efficiency for various mobile devices. Also, many people really liked the rich equipment of the device, where the manufacturer, in addition to ordinary accessories, also included a group of different adapters for greater versatility.

Approximate price - about 3000 rubles.

iconBIT FTB Travel

The solar battery from a renowned battery manufacturer is equipped almost like an adult: two USB ports for connecting devices, a paired LED that acts as a flashlight, and a four-segment charge indicator.

The maximum output current on both one and the other USB interface fluctuates within 1 ampere, which is considered normal for its capacity. The power is 1.5 W, so you can recharge an average smartphone without any problems.

In addition, the model received good dust protection and good moisture resistance, which emphasizes its focus on active recreation. The rubberized design will allow the device to avoid shocks, and its low weight will not become a burden on a long hike.

The owners of this solar battery speak very flatteringly about it. Particularly warm responses can be seen among fishermen and hunters, where every kilogram on your shoulder is akin to a ton. Many users complain about the poor quality of charging of some smartphones or the lack thereof. But here you need to understand that the available power is designed for batteries with a capacity of 1000 and slightly more mAh. And charging a modern gadget with a power-hungry processor and video chip, as well as a 5000 mAh battery, is not the best idea. For this there are devices indicated above.

Estimated cost is about 2000 rubles.