They were going on about how much they would save in future years on their electric bills, but it was evident that they were continuing their urban-focused lifestyle, for his career and their children’s dancing and soccer dates at least. What they would save in electricity they would more than make up in transportation costs, gasoline and more than one vehicle and all the rest. How green is it to have a  cabin kit helicoptered in because you didn’t finish the house you started before winter?

I could rant on about that show but I just want to use it as a springboard for thinking about what really constitutes ecological living.  Of course, it is different for each of us with our particular situations. Someone who really lives off the grid in a remote spot, only coming into town for weekly trips or rarer, can be living in a very green way. For most of us, urban dwelling is actually more conserving of energy. I have friends who have lived for years in cities without cars, and I have more friends who do have cars but use them sparingly.

If you want to know more about living off the grid, take a look at the website of Home Power Magazine.

And here is a good, clearly written book on the subject:

This article came from: When Off the Grid Is Not Green at Simple Living, Sustainable Living.

The portable panels for a 12 volt system operate in the same way that large solar panels do, but naturally since they are smaller, they generate less electricity. Like larger ones, they operate best when you have direct full sun, without much shading from trees or other things.  Most of them will provide some power on cloudy days or even on rainy ones, but expect it to take longer under those conditions to get the charging done.

By the way, 12 volt systems will not necessarily work indoors from the light that comes in your windows, but some do.  I show an example at the bottom of this article.

If you decide to get a 12-volt portable panel system, be sure to get one that has some form of built-in regulator. This is essential, because without a regulator the device you are attempting to recharge might get overcharged or “fried.” Not good! A regulator can solve this problem by  automatically adjusting  the energy produced to the amount that your item needs.

The Foldable Systems are  Somewhat Delicate

Portable solar panels can often be quite small; many can be folded to fit into a carrying bag of some sort. The solar cells themselves may be  breakable if folded, but they are small enough that in manufacturing they can be attached to a backing which does fold. It’s often made of fabric. Take some care when you are moving them around.  Don’t poke them with scissors or knives, keep them out of washing machines even though they are waterproof, and only recharge appropriate, rechargeable batteries — not standard ones.

You’ll Also Need Connectors to Get Set Up

The particular connectors that you will need will depend on how you intend to use your 12v panels. Of course, they must match up with the “recharging plugs” — that is, the place that you will attach the solar setup to the thing you plan to charge.

Using Them with Vehicles

If you intend to use the portable solar panels for  trickle charging your vehicle battery, you might  need a set of battery clips. Here’s how to keep your car, truck, boat, or snowmobile battery charged up. You put the panel in a location where it will be receiving the largest amount of sunshine per day and then you attach it to the vehicle, in one of two ways. You might plug it into a cigarette lighter socket, or you might attach the clips to the vehicle’s battery.  Either way, this can be a very handy thing to have in extremely cold climates or even in ones where temperatures drop below freezing.

Portable solar panels are still comparatively costly compared to using grid electricity.  But if you spend a lot of time out in nature as a camper or hiker, or if you work with a computer from your car, they can’t be beat.  And how useful to have some on hand if your electricity at home or work goes out for a while!

Some Examples

The small and inexpensive Sunsei Solar 2-Watt 12-Volt Charger #SE-150 can be used on the dashboard of your car; it does work through the windshield glass:

Here’s another example, the Coleman CL-1200 Solar 18-Watt 12-Volt Deep-Cycle Battery Charger:

And here is a more expensive foldable system, the Brunton SOLARIS 52 CIGS Foldable Solar Panel (Black/Silver, 12 Volt):

This article came from: About 12-Volt Portable Solar Panel Systems at Simple Living, Sustainable Living.