My experience with solar technology has been an interesting experiment, one with both successes and failures. I thought using a solar panel to charge my gadgets would have been easy – put it in the sun and plug it in, right? If only it had been that simple.

In a year and a half of bicycle touring, I used a foldable solar array to charge batteries for my camera, headlamp, GPS unit, and mp3 player. It had been my goal to reduce the need for extra batteries while utilizing a free and renewable energy source.

The process of setting up the system wasn’t easy. I had my portable devices before purchasing the solar panel and, as a result, this left me to retrofit the system with new chargers and a plethora of cords. For example, the camera battery was charged through the cigarette lighter adapter whereas the mp3 player had its own cable. The list went on and on. After several trips to the electronics store I finally pieced together a workable system.

When it came to the ‘rubber meeting the road’ my solar charging system turned out to be a bit of a boondoggle. Although I was able to charge things adequately, I never got the system dialed. Toward the end of my journey, with months of sub-par results, I finally made the decision to purchase a handful of conventional battery chargers and mail the solar panel home.

Looking back, I’ve realized the shortcomings of my system. First, I didn’t test the system in a real-life touring situation before heading out. Second, charging times were inconsistent and I spent a good bit of time using half-charged batteries. Finally, I had no backup for dead batteries and no sun. As frustrating as these experiences were, they’ve helped me plan for future solar-powered adventures.

Equipment, Transportation, Destination
Configuring a viable system goes beyond meeting the power needs of your electronic devices. Your carrying capacity and travel destination are also factors.

First, know your equipment. Even though the science of solar technology is beyond this article, one simple equation can help: Volts (pressure) x Amps (current) = Watts (power). In other words, compare the power needs of your device(s) with the power output specifications of the solar charging equipment. For example, my 12-watt solar array was sufficient to power everything but my laptop.

Second, think about how you are traveling. If you plan to carry your own gear, like on a bicycle or in a backpack, consider a solar charging device that is lightweight and collapsible. The folded dimensions of my device were 5 x 9 x 0.75 inches, making it fit nicely inside a pannier. Other options include a rollable sheet or a flower-like array.

Third, research the climate of your destination. If you’re traveling to a region that experiences many hours of sunlight, you will be far more successful with this system than somewhere that doesn’t. For example, it was easier to use my solar panel while traveling during New Zealand’s summer as opposed to France’s autumn.

Test the System
Testing your gear before a big trip is possibly the most important thing to check off your prep list. Admittedly, I never tested my ‘solar system’ before hitting the road. I knew I had enough power, but I didn’t factor the ‘where’ and the ‘how’. As a result, I wasted many opportunities to harness the sun’s energy. Oftentimes I found myself charging in less-than-ideal settings, and getting less-than-ideal results.

Fortunately, my misadventures weren’t completely wasted; I did make one important discovery. Sun angle, in relation to the orientation of the solar array, made a huge difference. The more direct the sun hit, the faster the device charged. My ideal setting was midday sun with the panel laying flat. Testing your system beforehand will uncover its eccentricities, making you more efficient and successful in the field.

Consider Redundancy
What happens when the sun isn’t available? In a perfect world, every good system would have a reliable backup. Unfortunately, this was my fatal flaw. I did carry a few extra batteries for each device, but had no other option for charging them – using a direct charge configuration, I was dependent on available sun. Alternatively, I could have considered a portable power supply. Such devices work with solar arrays to store energy and also have the capability of being charged from a power outlet. In the end, the supply of solar energy could not meet my battery demands and I ended up buying conventional chargers.

Portable solar charging has become quite practical for traveling. There are a variety of sizes and configurations to suit almost every adventure. My experience with solar charging has been a mixed bag. I learned the hard way, but I’m definitely a believer. With some research, planning, and testing of your equipment, you can avoid situations like a midnight escape from a Laos beer brothel without a headlamp.

Liked it? Share it!