If you have ever ventured on (or considered venturing on) a modern day excursion into the wild, you have possibly asked yourself the question - "how do I power my electronics?"

Fifteen years ago, few campers, hikers, or backpackers would have any sense of deprivation at the idea of being away from power grids. Perhaps a few grocery-store batteries would be enough to power their flashlight and operate their camera flash.

Back then, there was little or no issue regarding digital cameras, laptops, or even cell phones.

But times have changed. If you learned photography with a digital camera, would you want to try to learn analogue photography just so you could go on a 5-day hiking trip without batteries?

What about GPS devices? And, yes, some people even want to listen to music while they venture into the wild.

One solution to this predicament is a Solar Battery Charger,

One can now buy relatively inexpensive and lightweight portable solar panels which will recharge your GPS, cell phone, iPod, MP3 player, other electronic device.

These solar chargers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The type of item you will need is largely dependent on the following factors: If you have ever ventured on (or considered venturing on) a modern day excursion into the wild, you have possibly asked yourself the question - "how do I power my electronics?"

Fifteen years ago, few campers, hikers, or backpackers would have any sense of deprivation at the idea of being away from power grids. Perhaps a grocery-store batteries would be enough to power their flashlight and operate their camera flash.

Back then, there was little or no issue regarding digital cameras, laptops, or even cell phones.

But times have changed. If you learned photography with a digital camera, would you want to try to learn analogue photography just so you could go on a 5-day hiking trip without batteries?

What about GPS devices? And, yes, some people even want to listen to music while they venture into the wild.

One solution to this predicament is a Solar Battery Charger.

One can now buy relatively inexpensive and lightweight portable solar panels which will recharge your GPS, cell phone, iPod, MP3 player, other electronic device.

There are two main categories into which solar battery chargers can be devided.

1. The first type uses internal rechargeable batteries. The advantage of this is that you can let it charge while it is not connected to your device. You can let it sit in the sun and collect solar energy (which it uses to recharge its internal batteries) and once the internal batteries are charged, you can hook up your iPod, cell phone, MP3 Player, GPS device, camera, or whatever it is that you want to recharge. You can also operate your device directly form this portable solar charger if you like.

Since the solar energy collected is stored within the internal battery of this type of solar charger, you can use it any time of day whenever and wherever. It is also usually also possible to charge it from regular wall sockets (and sometimes even from the cigarette lighter socket in your car).

2. The other type of solar charger is simply a small portable solar panel that can either be folded, or rolled up. This tends to be more powerful and lighter than the previously mentioned type of solar charger. Due to the higher power output, this type of solar battery charger can be used to power or recharge larger electronic devices (such as laptops, radios, small TVs, and coolers).

Solar battery chargers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The type of item you will need is largely dependent on the following factors:

• Circumstances of travel. If you will be kayaking, you will need a waterproof solar charger. If you will be traveling by car you can probably manage to take a box-like solar charger with you. But if you will be hiking, you won't want to lug something around which is heavy and ackward. A flexible rollable portable solar panel will probably be more useful.

• The size and type of equipment which you will be charging is a very important consideration. There are small solar battery chargers which will charge your iPod, MP3 player, GPS device, or camera. But if you will need to charge your laptop, you will need a larger solar charger. If you need help chosing the correct amount of wattage for your solar battery charger, you may find information here:

• Cost, size, and practicality. Generally, where portable solar battery chargers or any types of solar panels are concerned, bigger is more: more money, more weight, and more electricity. By exploring some of the images below you can get an idea of what is available. You can then weigh the advantages and disadvantages and decide on which type of solar charger you will need, as well as which equipment you will bring with you on your excursion or expedition.

In any case, a solar battery charger may be the solution you are looking for if you need to power your electronics when you are away from the power grids. It can also be a lifesaver in an emergency survival kit (whether this is a wildnerness survival kit, or a survival kit for natural catastrophes or other unfornseen emergencies).

Solar battery chargers are also eco-friendly alternatives which provide electricity without harming the environment or contributing to Global Warming.

An issue of great controversy and concern in modern times is the subject of Global Warming. While a solar battery chargers is not as powerful, in the combat against pollution and Global Warming, as would be the installation of solar panels accross a city, it is still a step forward. Even if a small one.

And it is something else. It is a statement. A solar battery charger is a little example, a small microcosm which can help remind us all of the macrocosm which exists. The simple fact of using a solar battery charger helps to show the world that solar power is real, it can be used, it is effective, and that not all energy must come from coal and oil.

Some people will probably combat this idea and call it overly naive or simplistic. But really - if you commonly saw all of your friends using solar chargers on their iPods and mobile phones, would you not think twice the next time you heard a suggestion that we must have fossil fuels to survive?

Simple as it may sound, I believe that the simplicities which escape our attention can become powerful when they are seen and understood.

So, yes, even the use of a solar battery charger can be a great way to set an example for others in how alternative energy can be used to make the Earth a cleaner place.