Inexpensive solar cell to charge your phone while hiking and traveling

When you are out in the countryside, whether it is hiking, traveling, or just a weekend getaway, many people need to recharge their phones. Someone wants to stay in touch, someone takes photos of them. An easy way is to purchase a capacious power bank. But 2-3 charges and it will also be at zero.

You can charge the phone with a solar battery, and you don't need to solder or assemble anything. Ready-made panels with USB output are on sale:

Panel size: 14.5x8.9x0.2 cm. USB connector (5V). The declared maximum power is 5 W. But it depends on the light. There will be no charging from the solar battery in winter. And on a clear summer afternoon, the efficiency is maximum. Link on aliexpress.

Buyers pictures:

There are reviews where buyers are trying to charge the phone with this solar battery in winter or through a window. And they write reviews that do not charge. Not surprising. Light does not mean there is enough light to charge.

But on summer days, even 2 times the smaller area of ​​the solar battery is enough to charge the 805080 battery in the lamps. Example showed here.

For hiking, this inexpensive solar panel is best tweaked - secured or glued to a piece of plastic, thin plywood. Or store it in a case made from an old unwanted book.

In one of the previous articles, the idea of ​​using two such solar panels for ventilation and airing of the greenhouse was described. Article here.

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