Solar Charging Basics For Mobile Devices

From an iPhone or Blackberry to some eReaders solar chargers can power up electronic devices anywhere. Additionally solar chargers can also power up from your computer or wall outlet before you take it on the go. Whether you are frequently away from an outlet or repeatedly forget to charge, solar chargers can keep your devices charged.

Solar chargers in essence create energy from sunlight with one or more solar panels. The charge is stored within the charger’s internal battery for use at anytime. Solar chargers can also power up from a wall outlet or usb. Two kinds of solar chargers to consider keeping small devices charged are pocket sized chargers and solar backpack chargers.

Pocket size solar charges can the size of the smallest iPod or around the same size as the iPhone. With the varied size of chargers comes a range of battery sizes. Smaller batteries (500 mAh) will charge the average smart phone battery about halfway. Internal batteries which are larger (2000 mAh) can provide as much as one and a half charges.

Solar backpacks are generally the size of the average backpack. Most include a padded laptop sleeve along with multiple pockets for storage. The solar panel(s) are on the outward facing part of the backpack with the battery tucked away in an internal pocket nearby. Solar bags come in a variety of styles including messenger bags and solar iPad bags. Because solar backpacks and bags have more usable space, the solar panel(s) and internal battery are both larger (battery size 2000 mAh to 5000 mAh).

Solar charging will require lots of sun light. Small solar chargers require as much as sixteen hours (as little as eight hours) and solar charging backpacks need about six to eight hours of light. Charging the internal battery with a computer usb port or wall outlet takes a lot less time.

When searching for the best solar charger for you, be sure to find a charger that that is most suitable for you. Personally I use a P-Flip solar iPhone charger. Not only do I enjoy being able to charge my iPhone from empty to full (with some extra power to spare), but I also find myself using the charger’s built in dock while at home.

Thank you for reading. To research solar chargers further I’d suggest watching a few solar backpack videos. Have an iPhone? Read this portable iPhone charger review which covers both solar and non solar chargers.