What is a solar charger?

A solar charger is a small recharging device that contains solar panels which collect energy from the sun.

A basic solar charger will power electronic equipment directly, while a solar battery charger is specifically used for charging batteries.  In some cases, a solar battery charger includes its own battery which is charged by sunlight, while in some cases, solar battery chargers are used to charge external batteries.  They can charge conventional batteries (such as AA, AAA, etc) or they can charge the batteries of digital cameras, phones, and the like.

A solar charger which is strong enough to charge a laptop is often referred to as a solar laptop charger.  But in essence, a solar laptop charger is just a solar battery charger which is powerful to provide the wattage that a laptop requires.

Portable solar chargers are used to keep small electric gadgets, such as cell phones, iPods, and digital cameras, ready to go. No other souce of electricity needed when there is sufficient sun to provideenergy. Better still, it doesn’t cost a dime to implement this source of power (beyond the initital cost of the solar battery charger itself).

You may find this technique new and exciting, but solar power has been around for a very long time. We are just now realizing all of the valuable aspects of using solar energy, and what it has to offer us in our everyday lives.

How is solar power made?

Little bits of sunlight, better known in the solar world as ‘photons’, come into contact with a type of material known as a semiconductor. The light is absorbed and the solar energy of the photon is passed to an electron in one of the atoms of the semiconductor. The electron breaks away from its atom and an electrical current is generated.

This is a simple explanation of how solar power is produced.  But there are other principles and technology put to use depending on the application.

What can you charge with a solar battery charger?

Almost anything that needs to be powered by batteries or electricity can be charged by solar power. We are just now touching the tip of the iceberg, with chargers for all types of NiMH and NiCD batteries, flashlights, cookers, radios, car batteries, small appliances and of course, our electronic toys! There are even solar chargers for laptops.

How many different types of solar chargers are there?

Depending on the type of application you are looking for, there is probably a specific solar charger which will best suit your needs. One type has its own internal battery, which stores solar energy for later use.

There are also new technical developments that enable you to plug your charger into an automobile or wall socket when this is available, and use this energy to charge your electronics.  Where conventional energy sources are not available, you would use solar energy instead.  These types of chargers are called "hybrid solar chargers."

In areas where electricity is not an option, lightweight portable solar battery chargers are invaluable for charging multifunctional gadgets such as flashlights, radios, cell phones, and batteries.

In our world of electronic necessity, and the ever-increasing demand for power, portable solar chargers are soon likely to be a must for wilderness camping, adventure travel, and even off-grid living.