Although Mother Earth is most likely the most commonly cited reason for the perceived future need of solar powered chargers, it is much more likely that solar power is not only a clean alternative to fossil fuels but also a much more cost effective way of heating and cooling. With the rising costs of energy across the country, the race is on to find a new avenue of powering everyday life that is not only sustainable but also affordable.

So – should you convert to solar powered charges or should you wait for the exploration of other energy sources? This is a hard question to answer but by and large the general consensus seems to be that those who can afford it should go ahead and convert to solar powered chargers now, even if in the future a different form of energy will become the main avenue of powering life. After all, the little you can do today not only benefits you in the short run, but also the planet in the long run. With this attitude, everyone wins.

The example given below is a basic design for a solar battery charger:

You can experiment using more solar cells, or using other types of batteries like “AAA” or “D” or “C”.

Find out what happens if the cells are connected in parallel versus series.

Materials Required:

• Silicon Solar Cells (3)
• Two “AA” rechargeable batteries
• 2 Single Battery Holders for “AA” battery
• Wire for connecting the cells and holder (preferably #26 gauge or less)
• Small soldering iron (less then 50 watts)
• Solder material (e.g. Rosin Core solder)
• Flat board for mounting the cells and battery holder (e.g. perfboard)
• Self-sticking fasteners like Velcro

Procedure
(1) Solder the three solar cells in series with the help of connecting wire, as shown in the diagram. When the cells are connected in series, the voltage is increased by three times, which is sufficient to charge the battery (the voltage of a single battery is 1.25V). The current remains the same. Each 2×4 cm solar cell will produce about 0.45 volt and 0.275 amp of usable current.

(2) Mount the cell on a board with the help of Velcro or any other material you can think of (e.g. Self-sticking Hoop-And-Loop Fasteners).

(3) Connect the battery holders in parallel.

(4) Connect the battery holder to the solar cells.

(5) Mount the battery holders with the rechargeable batteries, on the board.

(6) Place the board with the cells and battery holder in direct sunlight. It can be laid horizontal, but it is better to tip up the board towards the direction of the sun. This increases the efficiency of the solar cells.

(7) Use rechargeable batteries that are dead.

(8) If you have a voltmeter at home, you can check the voltage in the batteries, at intervals.

(9) It should take approximately a day to charge the batteries.

Precautions

Make sure that the solar cells are placed in full sunlight with no shadows falling over them. Be careful while handling the soldering gun. Wear safety glasses! If you want to avoid the soldering, an enclosed solar module could also be used for this experiment. Note: The battery holders have batteries connected in parallel; therefore, the voltage remains the same and the current is divided.

You can find most of the material required around the house, like the wire or board. However, for your convenience, listed below are all of the items required for the experiment, which are available at Radio Shack.

Material Specifications:

• Silicon Solar Cell (3) 276-124 4.49 Or Enclosed Solar Module RSU 11903085 10.99 (1.5V, 200mA)
• 2 “AA” Batteries (1 pack) 23-125 5.49 Rechargeable Ni-Cds
• 2 Single Battery Holders 270-401 0.79 (For 1 “AA” no.26)
• Prepunched Perfboard 276-1394 2.39 (41/2 x 6”)
• Hook-And-Loop Fasteners 64-2345 2.69 (self-sticking 3-inch Strips)
• Rosin core solder 64-001 1.19 (0.062”, 0.5 oz)
• Wire (#26 gauge or less)

Heres a few of the innovative solar gadgets available on the market today and some examples of specific solar powered products to consider.

What about gadgets with built-in batteries? When it comes to charging your phone or iPod, the sun has been left you cold.

One innovative product, HYmini, is a universal power charger that uses wind and solar energy to top up most gadgets, and it comes with mini solar panels and extra batteries. Twenty minutes of wind power will provide 30 minutes of iPod time.

Solar Flashlights –
Hand-held solar flashlights operate for nearly three hours when fully charged, and can be mounted on a bicycle for nighttime rides. Some of the features for this cool gadget are AM FM reception — AM range: 525-1650 KHz, FM range: 88-108 MHz; Built-in dynamo generator with manual winding lever, Built-in flashlight (with clear, amber and red lenses); Hi-fi speaker and 3.5mm earphone jack.

A solar powered flashlight that can also charge your cell phone, MP3 player, or PDA is on useful and versatile solar powered gadget. The ultra-bright LED flashlight (65,000MCD) uses mono-crystalline silicon solar panels for power generation and recharging the built-in 700mAh/3.6v NI-MH battery.

Solar Tents –
Yes, it is a tent that comes with it’s own solar panel and integrated, interior LED lights. You can also use the solar panels independently to charge batteries. It’s approximately 4-6 hours of direct light to yield 2-4 hours tent light. The 7″ (18 cm) solar panel is placed on the top of the tent’s hub and clicked into place. The fly is then placed on top of solar panel & tent, and sun will charge the panel through the clear PVC window at the top of the fly. The tent comes in as 4-person and a 6-person versions.

Solar Lighters –
This great solar fire starter is perfect for backpacking, boating, hiking and as a solar survival tool.

Solar Tombstones –
Vidstone developed the solar powered Serenity Panel, ‘Utilizing ground-breaking solar-powered technology, this weather-proof LCD panel provides families and friends with a timeless way to commemorate a life that’s passed at one’s final resting place.” It adds about two grand to the price of a conventional tombstone and has a waterproof 7″ screen. Four hours of sunlight will play a ten minute video six times. Michael at Groovy Green notes that ‘There’s even a head-phone jack to limit your groove from beyond the grave to inquiring ears only.”

Solar Lighted Mailboxes –
Solar panels gathers the sun’s energy and charge the battery pack. At night, address panels automatically light up at dusk and go off at dawn.

Solar Powered Headset –
A solar-powered headset is a solar gadget perfectly suited for the environmentally-conscious outdoorsman who loves music. This headset is great for daytime jogging, or working in the yard.

Solar Radio –
You will be able to listen your favorite radio shows and if you need to see better in the dark the flashlight is included.

Solar Watches –
Swiss-made LeJour solar watches ($99.95), which run on either sunlight or ambient lighting, work for a month in total darkness.

Solar Backpacks and Bags -
Solar bags are some of the coolest green products out there, and they make a great gift, too! Compare and choose which one best meets your needs and your taste. The name says it all, the Voltaic Backpack Solar Powered Backpack is a daypack that host several small solar panels on the back of the bag.

The idea is that the Voltaic Backpack Solar Powered Backpack can charge your small electronics such as MP3 players, cameras, etc as you travel. You can also switch the sun jar completely off to save power. Keeping the lantern in bright sunlight for 8 hours you will supply it with power for 3 hours. If you need it fully charged then you should keep it in the sunlight for 30 hours.

Solar Power Chargers and Battery Packs –
Solar battery chargers bring a pair of nickel-cadmium batteries to life in less than seven hours. It’s not clear how long the panels need to soak in the sun’s rays, but Velleman claims this power brick’s good enough to charge laptops, electric hand tools, GPS systems and–we kid you not–caravans, yachts, and DC refrigerators.

The Solio will charge from 4 volt to 12 volt devices by doubling or tripling the power output using the adapters. There are four contacts in the adapter tip system cable and to get up to the higher 12 volts it just uses three of these outputs at 3.6 volts to get the 10.8 volts for these higher voltage charges.

Kauai Resorts –
Hanalei Bay Resort

Moana Kai Beach Houses

Nihilani at Princeville

Plantation at Princeville

Ohau Resorts –
Ilikai Hotel and Apartments

Ilikai Marina

Maui Resorts –
Kaleialoha Resort

Lahaina Roads Condos

Maui Kai Beach Resort

Napili Bay Resort

Nohonani Condos and Resort

Whaler Resort

Big Island Resorts –
Beach Villas at Kahaluu

Kanaloa at Kona

Keauhou Kona Surf and Racquet Club

Kona Coast Resort

Na Hale O Keauhou

With the advances in solar technology, there are portable solar power power sources with which you can do all of those things and more. Portable solar power can make life safer and more convenient when you want to take your family on a vacation to a remote site. Electronic devices are a part of everyday living, so why not take them with you?

You may want to have a solar energy 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 portable solar power which can make life safer and more convenient when you want to take your family on a vacation to a remote site.

Electronic devices are a part of everyday living, so why not take them with you? Portable solar energy is becoming less bulky and more affordable so that consumers can have a reliable source of electricity at any time and in any place.

The strength of the sun and how long the solar power device is exposed will impact the amount of electricity a solar cell produces. A solar power cell generates electricity faster when the sun or other light sources are brighter and a device with larger solar panels will produce more electricity than one with smaller panels.