Portable photovoltaic panels are actually solar panels in their own right, but with the addition of a portable function to the original, they are more convenient for camping, adventure, and caravanning enthusiasts to take with them. So how efficient are portable photovoltaic panels? Ultimately, it depends on the quality of the solar panels used.
The principle of solar panel power generation
Solar panels are devices that absorb sunlight and convert solar radiation energy directly or indirectly into electricity through the photoelectric or photochemical effect. The electrons leap and become free electrons on both sides of the P-N junction to form a potential difference, when the external circuit is switched on, under the action of this voltage, there will be a current flow through the external circuit to produce a certain output power. The essence of this process is the conversion of photon energy into electrical energy.
Solar panel power calculation
A solar AC system consists of a solar panel, charge controller, inverter, and battery; a solar DC system does not include an inverter. In order for a solar power system to provide sufficient power for the load, the components must be selected appropriately according to the power of the appliances. The following is an example of how to calculate 100W of output power for 6 hours of use per day.
- Firstly, the number of watt-hours consumed per day (including the loss of the inverter) should be calculated: if the conversion efficiency of the inverter is 90%, then when the output power is 100W, the actual output power required should be 100W/90% = 111W; if it is used for 5 hours per day, the output power will be 111W*5 hours = 555Wh.
- Calculate the solar panel: according to the effective sunshine time of 6 hours per day, and then consider the charging efficiency and the loss in the charging process, the output power of the solar panel should be 555Wh/6h/70%=130W. 70% of which is the actual power used by the solar panel during the charging process.
Solar panel power generation efficiency
The highest photovoltaic conversion efficiency of monocrystalline silicon solar energy is 24%, which is the highest among all types of solar cells. However, the production costs of monocrystalline solar cells are so high that they are not yet widely and commonly used. Polycrystalline silicon solar cells are cheaper than monocrystalline silicon solar cells in terms of production cost, but the photoelectric conversion efficiency of polycrystalline silicon solar cells is considerably lower, in addition, the service life of polycrystalline silicon solar cells is also shorter than that of monocrystalline silicon solar cells. Therefore, in terms of performance-to-price ratio, monocrystalline silicon solar cells are slightly better.
Researchers have found a number of compound semiconductor materials suitable for solar photovoltaic conversion films. For example, CdS, CdTe; III-V compound semiconductors: GaAs, AIPInP, etc.; thin film solar cells made from these semiconductors show very good photoelectric conversion efficiency. Semiconductor materials with multiple gradient energy band gaps can expand the range of the solar energy absorption spectrum and thus improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency. This makes a large number of practical applications of thin film solar cells present a broad prospect. Among these multiple semiconductor materials Cu(In, Ga)Se2 is an excellent solar absorbing material. Based on it, thin-film solar cells can be designed with a significantly higher photovoltaic conversion efficiency than silicon, achieving a photovoltaic conversion rate of 18%.
The lifespan of solar panels
The service life of solar panels is determined by the material of the cells, toughened glass, EVA, TPT, etc. Generally, the service life of panels made by manufacturers who use better materials can reach 25 years, but with the influence of the environment, the materials of solar panels will age with the change of time. In general, the power will decay by 30% in 20 years and 70% in 25 years.
Shawllar 100W Sport Portable Solar Panel uses advanced MWT technology and engineered A+ grade monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells to deliver a higher conversion efficiency of 23.8%, with the advantage of no soldering, no grid wires, and zero lead content. The same size solar panel generates more power and is more environmentally friendly. Solar panel heat dissipation is increased by 40% with an 8-layer laminated housing of advanced materials. Excellent performance even in low light conditions and can withstand extreme environments from -4°f to +158°f. Our portable solar panels are FCC, CE, and ROHS certified and come with a 24-month warranty for added safety and durability.
Compatible and versatile:
The Shawllar portable solar panel charger is equipped with 1*USB-C port (5V 3A/9V 2A/12V 1.5A) and 1*QC3.0 fast charging port (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A) ), allowing you to charge multiple small devices at the same time, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras and more. computers, laptops, digital cameras, etc. The folding solar charger also features 1*DC 8mm output with 3-in-1 connectors (DC 7909 to XT60, 5521, 8020), compatible with most solar generators.
lightweight and portable：
Folded size: 21.6 x 14.8 x 1 inch; unfolded size: 50 x 21.6 x 0.1 inch; weight: 6.2 lbs. Thinner and lighter, perfect for RV travel, off-grid camping, and unexpected power outages
If you have a recent camping trip planned but don't have enough space to store your luggage, this is highly recommended.