Solar panel for portable power station

[MaxStravinsky]

I'm thinking of getting a Jackery SolarSaga 100 Solar Panel for a Jackery 300 Power Station. Anyone have any experience with these, or any other brands?
In an extended outage it would give me an unending supply of light. I live in an apartment where I can't have a generator.
thanks.

 

[enbloc]

I don't have any experience with these, but there is a bunch of videos on you tube. This guy is good...



Here's another guy with the same panel review:



Ok. Just 1 more...

 

[enbloc]

This unit, which looks nearly the same but re-branded, has stellar reviews on Amazon...

Amazon product ASIN B07Q71LX84View: https://www.amazon.com/Jackery-SolarSaga-Portable-Explorer-Foldable/dp/B07Q71LX84/ref=sr_1_11?crid=1CEW6GQLHVUC2&keywords=xstar+sp100+solar+panel+100w&qid=1645162871&sprefix=xstar+sp100%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-11

 

[Andy in NH]

Somewhat dated, but I used a Harbor Freight solar panel kit for a couple of small projects.
Even though the unit was a bit cumbersome to more around, I was happy with the results.

 

[MaxStravinsky]

Matt - that's the unit I'm thinking of getting. But I'd buy directly from Jackery.

 

[enbloc]

Matt - that's the unit I'm thinking of getting. But I'd buy directly from Jackery.

Yeah. Great reviews. modern attachments. Peace of mind when the lights flicker. If you have windows that face the Sun, and are not on a ground floor, you have that added safety.
Maybe slightly lowered wattage, but harder to run away with. If you must put the panels outside, you could run a cable-lock through the handles.

I like the looks and quality of this unit. Please post back with your thoughts if you buy it Beth.

~Matt

 

[Knob Creek]

Matt - that's the unit I'm thinking of getting. But I'd buy directly from Jackery.

5% off with code 'Solar'.

 

[MaxStravinsky]

Too late for me, it's already here.

 

[Knob Creek]

Too late for me, it's already here.

Ordered mine yesterday. Charged me sales tax though.

 

[hillman]

I have a Jackery brand panel and a no name, off brand chinese made panel of the same size for my Jackery. Other than the Jackery feels like it's made better, they both function about the same.

 

[T-Unit]

I'm also looking for a portable solar panel and while the Jackery's look fine, I'm looking for something smaller and lighter for recharging small flashlights, a phone, and a small power bank (10k mah). I've seen some around $30 that are like 20 watts, but am wondering what should I look for with wattage output?

 

[pastera]

https://www.nrel.gov/gis/assets/images/solar-annual-ghi-2018-usa-scale-01.jpg

Average solar insolation for Mass is just over 4.25kWh/day for a square meter.

Cheap panels are about 16% efficient.

Works out to around 12 watts per square foot so you would need 5 sf of panels to charge a 50Whr battery bank (still takes all day)

 

[T-Unit]

https://www.nrel.gov/gis/assets/images/solar-annual-ghi-2018-usa-scale-01.jpg

Average solar insolation for Mass is just over 4.25kWh/day for a square meter.

Cheap panels are about 16% efficient.

Works out to around 12 watts per square foot so you would need 5 sf of panels to charge a 50Whr battery bank (still takes all day)

So just get either the 60w or 100w Jackery panel then?

 

[pastera]

So just get either the 60w or 100w Jackery panel then?

Damn phone
Looked up that unit
It can only put out 5v @ 2.4A on the USB charger (3 on the USB C) so you won't be able to use the peak power unless you have a 12v battery and charge controller to absorb the excess for later use
That it isn't water proof for that price is unreasonable.

 

[T-Unit]

Question is how much power

I figure let's say we get California style blackouts that goes on for 3 days, I'm gonna need some way other than my car to charge my phone and rechargeable lights and when they're charged I'd want to juice up a power bank.

Not a necessity to get the power banks recharged, but it'd be nice. Just wish they didn't recharge via micro USB, takes forever even when connected to a wall.

 

[pastera]

I figure let's say we get California style blackouts that goes on for 3 days, I'm gonna need some way other than my car to charge my phone and rechargeable lights and when they're charged I'd want to juice up a power bank.

Not a necessity to get the power banks recharged, but it'd be nice. Just wish they didn't recharge via micro USB, takes forever even when connected to a wall.

I hit post on my phone by accident
If it's an at home solution then a standard panel with a charge controller and battery bank is going to be more expensive but infinitely better

 

[pastera]

Cheap 100w panel https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01G53TUIS

2 of those plus a charge controller and battery isn't going to be much more and you can run an inverter off of it

 

[T-Unit]

Cheap 100w panel https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01G53TUIS

2 of those plus a charge controller and battery isn't going to be much more and you can run an inverter off of it

IDK what a charge controller is.

As for battery, you talking about the portable generators like Rockpals?

 

[pastera]

IDK what a charge controller is.

As for battery, you talking about the portable generators like Rockpals?

Charge controller goes between the panel and a battery.
It maximizes the power from the panel and prevents over charging the battery
For a battery I'm talking about a standard SLA (could go for a lithium iron phosphate)
Hell, you could even use your car battery as long as you don't deep cycle it.


200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase
200w kit - add a battery and you're in business