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Useful information about solar chargers
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Why do solar chargers need?
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Electricity generation from solar energy?
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How does a solar charger work?
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How is a solar charger constructed?
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Which performance parameters are important for solar chargers?
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Which solar chargers can you find at Conrad?
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What should you pay attention to when handling solar chargers?
Why do solar chargers need?
The walk takes until the evening – whether the smartphone battery lasts so long? A perfectly legitimate question, because the use of maps on mobile devices consumes a lot of power, because in the background a continuous position determination via GPS runs.
One way to cope with such and other situations is to use so-called power banks, which are additional, charged batteries. Another option is a mobile charger that uses the power of sunlight via a solar module to convert it into electrical energy.
The rapid development of powerful and at the same time small solar cells has led to a minimization of the solar technology on pocket or backpack format – depending on the power requirement. The devices are not only used for extended tours, but solar technology is now the first choice of power supply, for example at game feed machines, warning lights in the mountains, but also when camping in remote places.
Electricity generation from solar energy?
The term "power generation from solar energy" is not physically correct. According to the Energy Conservation Rate, energy cannot "arise" or "disappear". In a closed system, the sum of all energies is constant. The total energy is retained. It can only be converted into different shapes. The efficiency of the conversion describes how much percent of the original energy form arrives in the converted (desired) energy form. The so-called losses are only other, unwanted forms of energy, which together with the desired energy, in turn, result in 100 percent of the initial energy. The best example is the classic light bulb, in which the desired light represents only 5 percent of the energy used. The remaining 95 percent are dissipated as heat energy.
How does a solar charger work?
The basis of the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy is the so-called inner photoelectrical effect. This is a complex process in which the carriers of charges in chemical elements are separated by the impact of light energy and are transferred to different zones. This movement of electrons generates a directed current, the photo current. This process is carried out in light-irradiated semiconductor materials, of which silicon is the most important. The term "directed current" refers to the fact that solar cells always emit direct current. The series of such functional units together creates usable voltage variables.
How is a solar charger constructed?
A solar charger consists of solar cells connected together. The arrangement of the solar modules is flat in order to absorb as much solar luminous flux as possible. There are flexible and rigid versions. The actual solar module of the charger is provided with a transparent safety cover to protect against meteorological influences during use (contamination, hail). Behind it are the actual solar cells embedded, which are electrically interconnected.
Portable devices are usually foldable or foldable and surrounded by weather-resistant fabric including transport padding. Some manufacturers offer eyelets and snap hooks in the delivery, with which the solar module of the solar charger can be attached to a backpack for example.
The control electronics are combined with an associated, integrated or separate battery, which ultimately serves as (inter-)memory for operating or charging other devices. The internal rechargeable battery can usually be charged with other sources if the sunlight is insufficient or not available at all.
Solar chargers are usually supplied ready for operation or are easy to set up. Electrical commissioning is just as simple, usually tool-free.
Which performance parameters are important for solar chargers?
The unit used in solar technology is the "Watt peak" (from the English word "peak"). Also used are multiples such as kilowatt peak and derived abbreviations such as WP or kWp. This so-called unit is used to compare different solar cells. From a purely physical point of view, this unit does not conform to standards as a term for the electrical power (unit: Watts) of solar cells. The voltage and current available to the user are of interest.
Other important parameters are the size and weight of the chargers. Modern, folding solar chargers have folded sizes under a DIN A4 sheet (21 x 29.7 cm) and weigh less than one kilogram. There are small sizes of mobile phones that are correspondingly less powerful.
Which solar chargers can you find at Conrad?
The most important selection criteria for solar chargers in Conrad's online shop are:
- The number and type of available charging connections (outputs)
range from various USB ports, jack plugs and sockets to Apple dock connections and manufacturer-specific special solutions - The maximum available charging current: 300 to 10,000 milliamps
- The charging current of the solar cell: 90 to 8,000 milliamps
- The power of the solar cell: 0.55 to 120 watts
What should you pay attention to when handling solar chargers?
Solar chargers must not come into contact with liquids, because moisture is the biggest enemy of the solar modules. To obtain the protection, do not disassemble or drop the devices. Scratches and dirt are also detrimental to the function. The outer protective elements must not be damaged during transport and attachment.
When charging voltages are adjustable, select the correct value to avoid damage to the connected devices.
Avoid use at extreme temperatures. There are recommended use temperature ranges for these chargers.
Always use the original or recommended cables of the manufacturers. Apple devices in particular may refuse to charge when not using a branded cable.
With permanently mounted solar chargers, make sure that the actual solar module is aligned to the south without shading.
Do not be blinded by labels. Use the technical data as the basis for your purchase decision.
Take note of the operating instructions carefully before using the product.
Observe the environmental regulations for disposal of solar modules, accumulators and other electrical components.