| For years now, the military has been using a portable | | | | would defeat the purpose of portability, the power |
| solar energy power station to provide energy for their | | | | needs to be stored in batteries. Also, because the |
| mobile units. Recently, these invaluable systems have | | | | power generated and stored is direct current, an |
| become available for civilian use for camping or in the | | | | alternating current converter is a necessary add-on |
| event of emergencies. Being able to supply electricity | | | | device. Electrical devices are plugged into the |
| during power shortages, typical in emergencies, is a | | | | converter and as power stored in the battery is used, |
| real lifesaver and an aid towards recovery efforts. | | | | the battery is recharged by the solar panels. |
| The size of the portable solar energy power station | | | | It is All About the Batteries |
| needed depends on the situation and the amount of | | | | The batteries are the main contributor to the weight of |
| power that is required. A small unit can be used to | | | | a portable solar energy power station. The other parts, |
| supply light to an area. If the need is to supply enough | | | | such as the charge controller and solar panels add |
| power for refrigeration, lights and to drive water | | | | some weight, but not as much as the batteries do. In |
| pumps, a larger portable solar energy power station | | | | order to power more devices the portable power |
| will be required. They could provide anywhere from | | | | station will require a larger battery pack. Small portable |
| 240 watts all the way up to several thousand watts | | | | solar power units come with a small battery pack and |
| of power. The only drawback is that the bigger the | | | | will power a light or radio for a few hours. Larger more |
| unit, the bigger the battery pack required. | | | | powerful portable solar power units are mounted on a |
| It is usually quick and easy to set up portable solar | | | | trailer with the battery pack and a mast where the |
| energy power stations. It is best to use different units | | | | solar panels are mounted on. |
| of different sizes to perform different functions. For | | | | It should be realized that regardless of the size and |
| instance, one unit may be established to provide | | | | reliability of the portable solar energy power station, |
| electricity for lighting. Another larger unit can be used to | | | | they will never work without sunshine. There may be |
| supply power for refrigeration while a still larger unit | | | | enough power remaining in the batteries once the sun |
| can be set up to power water pumps in the event of | | | | goes down to operate some devices or equipment, |
| major overflow. | | | | but without sunlight, once the batteries are discharged, |
| Portability Is Proportional To the Size of Battery Pack | | | | you will have to wait until daylight to restore power. Still, |
| Since drawing power directly from the solar panels of | | | | it helps to have a portable gadget at the side which |
| a portable solar energy power station is useless and | | | | comes handy in times of emergency. |