Portable Solar Guide
In the Portable Solar Guide, learn about the benefits and advantages of having a portable solar kit to charge your batteries in remote and off-grid situations. Simply unpack the solar panel and connect it to the battery that you want to charge. Position and direct the solar panel to have a clear view of the sun. Here are a few things you need to know about choosing a portable solar kit.
- Micro to Small – These portable solar kits are designed to charge small items like cell phones and small batteries. They often fold into very small packages that are not much larger than a regular envelope, although the footprint can be a few inches thick. The units often have a charging output of 1 Watt to 20 Watts.
- Medium To Large – The kits are used to charge anywhere from one battery to a battery bank. These portable solar kits have out put ranges from 40 watts all the way up to 160 watts. They often include Charge Controllers inline and have specialized connection kits. This article will mainly FOCUS on this segment of panels.
Portable Solar Kit Basics
BENEFITS OF PORTABLE SOLAR PANELS For years we sold rigid solar panels that people converted into their very own solar kits. Now many manufacturers have created truly portable solar charging kits.
These panels included the ability to do many of the following actions from a single kit:
Easily stow solar panel when not in use Easy to unpack and setup An integrated inline charge controller Enough wire to move into a more sunny area Legs that can tilt to maximize sun Quick connect battery connectors Accessories that allow for easy setup in your situation
PORTABLE SOLAR KIT SIZES When purchasing medium to large portable solar kits you will find only a few sizes on the market. These kits are made in 90 Watts, 130 Watts, and 200 Watts. The main differences are the physical size of the panels, the price, and the output amperage from the panels.
Finding the right size for application involves determining a couple pieces of information:
Area available to store panel when not in use. (Physical opening and storage size) Amount of power required. ( solar charging power is almost always better) Your budget to purchase the panel.
COMMON PORTABLE SOLAR PARTS TERMINOLOGY
Below you will find a diagram referencing each part of a typical portable kit.
- Solar Charge Controller – this device allows the solar panels to charge the battery when it needs additional power. The charge controller will stop or significantly reduce the power to battery based on the current charge of your battery. These range from Shunt Type, PWM, and MPPT. The most common choice is the PWM – or Pulse Width Modulation.
- Rigid Solar Panels – Most portable units are being made with rigid solar panels to increase durability of the unit when in the field.
- Hinged Panels – The center of the panel is a hinge between two separate photo-voltaic panels. This allow for reduced size when stowing.
- Tilt and Place Legs – The legs are used to keep the panel in any configuration other than flat on the ground. The panels can be better angled to capture the maximum sun for your area. The legs often have a bolt for easy adjustment.
- Solar Cable – Most portable solar kits have a solar cable able to extend the reach of the panel by 15 to 30 feet.
- Battery Connectors – The battery connectors on most portable solar kits are designed for easy attachment and removal from your battery. This includes the use of alligator clamps and also Anderson connectors.
Connecting to the solar port on the side of your RV
The port on the side is connected directly to the battery in most wiring setups. Check your Rv’s manual to make sure this is the case. This port has a standard connector in many portable solar kits. Commonly referred to as an SAE connector. Portable kits usually have the charge controller in line or on the back of the panel. This is why the port usually is wired directly to the battery. If there is a side connection, a customer needs to look at our portable solar units and our portable solar guide for more information.
Many of the portable solar kits come with a wide range of connectors. This allows easy connecting to your RV and also other equipment.
First Portable Solar Rooftop System Unveiled at Akshardham Temple, Gandhinagar
India’s first portable solar rooftop system was unveiled at Gandhinagar’s Swaminarayan Akshardham temple complex recently. The German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) supported the installation of 10 PV Port systems in the temple complex, according to a statement.
The PV Port systems, designed by GIZ, are standard plug-and-play photovoltaic systems with or without battery storage that have a minimum capacity of 2 kWp. According to the statement, India’s first portable solar rooftop system was inaugurated at the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple complex in Gandhinagar. The PV Ports were made under the Make in India project by Servotech Power Systems Ltd (SPSL), a leading manufacturer of high-end solar products such as LEDs, oxygen concentrators, and EV charging equipment based in New Delhi. The unique PV Port system is paving the way for greater solar power adoption in India, said Raman Bhatia, founder and Managing Director of Servotech Power Systems Ltd. The 10 PV Port systems were unveiled in the presence of Shwetal Shah, Advisor, Gujarat Government’s Climate Change Department, as well as representatives from GIZ, GERMI, and the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple.
Solar Roof Top Scheme: Now Get 40% Subsidy for Solar Panels Installation in 15 Days
Jorg Gabler, Principal Advisor for Renewable Energy IntegrationGIZ India stated in the Indian Electricity System (I-RE) project that Consumers are expected to benefit greatly from such collaborations and the synergies that result. We are confident that the partnerships will provide us with insights into emerging challenges and opportunities at the city level, allowing us to replicate the results in other cities across India.
Servotech Power Systems has already installed more than 30 PV Port systems in Gandhinagar, including at Pandit Deendayal Energy University, GSPC Bhavan, Indroda Park, NIFT, Arya Bhavan, and other locations.
The PV Port system is extremely cost-effective, requires little maintenance, has a long shelf life of 25-30 years, is simple to install by one person, and is well-suited to the Indian climate.
It is designed to be completely self-sufficient, with no power being fed into the grid. Unlike other conventional solar PV systems, the PV Port system’s design makes use of the space beneath the panels. Each system saves an average of Rs 24,000 per year on electricity bills.
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Gujarat’s Akshardham temple gets ten portable solar rooftop systems
Servotech Power Systems, with the support of the German Development Agency GIZ, has installed ten portable solar rooftop systems at the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple complex in the Gandhinagar district of Gujarat.
Officials sitting on PV Port at Akshardham
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Gujarat’s Swaminarayan Akshardham temple now has ten portable solar rooftop systems complementing its existing 200 kWp solar system to replace the conventional polluting fuels effectively.
Called PV ports, the systems at the temple complex in the Gandhinagar district were installed under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s initiative to develop renewable energy cities across India.
PV Ports are standard plug-and-play photovoltaic systems with a minimum of 2kWp, designed by the German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). These come with or without battery storage.
Unlike conventional rooftop solar systems, the PV port systems can be easily installed by a single person without the need of rewiring and civil work, and allow the space below the panels to be utilized. The systems are highly cost-effective, require low maintenance, and have a long shelf life of 25-30 years. These are designed for 100% self-consumption and no power is fed into the grid. Each system leads to an average annual savings of INR 24,000 on electricity bills.
The PV ports were manufactured by New Delhi-based Servotech Power Systems Limited (SPSL), a leading manufacturer of high-end solar products, LEDs, oxygen concentrators, and EV charging equipment, under the Make in India project.
“Solar energy has to play an important role in reducing the country’s dependence on conventional sources of electricity. The unique PV Port system is the way ahead for greater adoption of solar power in the country. We are thankful to GIZ and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for this opportunity to contribute to ushering in a renewable transformation,” said Raman Bhatia, founder and managing director, Servotech Power Systems Ltd.
The PV Port systems were inaugurated in the presence of Shwetal Shah, Advisor, Climate Change Department, Government of Gujarat, officials of GERMI and Swaminarayan Akshardham temple.
“Such collaboration and the resulting synergies are expected to benefit consumers to a huge extent. We are very optimistic that the partnerships will provide us insights to deal with emerging challenges and capitalize on city-level opportunities, which will help us replicate the results in other cities across India,” said Joerg Gaebler, Principal Advisor GIZ.
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Uma Gupta
Based in New Delhi, Uma reports on the latest PV market trends and projects in India. After gaining an MSc Physics (Electronics) and an MBA, she has gone on to accrue over a decade of experience in technology journalism.
Solar Panels for Apartments: 5 Best Ways
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There are actually a few ways you can solar power your apartment or condo — even if you don’t have a suitable roof (or a willing landlord).
I live in a rental house and, over the last couple months, have explored every possible way to go solar as a renter. I’ve been encouraged by what I found.
Let’s run through your options.
Join a Community Solar Project
Community solar projects are large-scale solar farms that are built locally and power multiple homes in a community. They’re a great option for people who, for whatever reason, can’t put solar panels on their roof.
When you join a project, you usually continue to pay your electricity bill like normal — either through your existing utility or the company that runs the project. And the cost savings can be instant.
The main downside is that there aren’t that many community solar projects out there at the moment. Don’t be surprised if there aren’t any in your area.
Pros
- Doesn’t require you to install solar panels on your roof
- Can instantly save you money on your monthly power bill
- Helps support new clean energy projects in your community
- Reduces your carbon footprint
How to Do It
Go to EnergySage. It’s a good place to start your search for community solar projects.
Scroll down to the community solar section and click “See Local Projects.” This will take you to their community solar marketplace.
Enter your zip code and monthly power bill and click “Search Projects” to see if there are any projects you can sign up for. For instance, I entered the zip code for Providence, Rhode Island, where I knew there were a few projects.
Note: If EnergySage doesn’t show any projects in your area, do a Google search for “community solar near me” and see what pops up.
Choose a project you want to join. Browse the list of nearby projects. Read project reviews and details for things like estimated savings, billing info, and estimated environmental impact.
Click “Get Started” and submit an application. The project provider will review your application and reach out to you to finalize your subscription.
Once enrolled in the project, your monthly power bill will be going toward buying solar energy rather than carbon-intensive fossil fuel energy. You’ll also likely be paying less for power. It’s a win-win.
Ask Your Landlord to Install Solar Panels on Your Roof
This option works best if you rent a house with a suitable roof. You’ll be trying to convince your landlord to do a major home upgrade, so you’ll have to come prepared.
You can get quotes from local solar installers to show your landlord. That way, you can better talk about potential cost savings, increase in home value, and environmental impact.
Pros
- Replaces most of your home energy use with solar power
- Lowers your monthly power bill
- In some places, can get a credit for sending excess power back to the grid
- Reduces your carbon footprint
How to Do It
Go to EnergySage. It’s also a good place to start when adding solar panels to a house.
Scroll down to the rooftop solar section and click “Compare Solar Quotes.”
Fill out your property’s details and click “Get Quotes.” Then complete the registration process to start getting quotes from local solar installers.
Wait for your quotes to arrive. It may take a week or so for the first ones to trickle in. Solar installers may also reach out to you to get more information about your property before putting together their quote.
Pitch your landlord on installing solar panels. Once you’ve got a good quote, it’s time to pitch. Your landlord isn’t paying the utilities, so the typical pitch of reducing your monthly power bill isn’t going to work here. Instead, you can talk about how homes with solar panels sell for 4% more on average, and the environmental benefits of going solar.
Buy Plug In Solar Panels
Plug in solar panels — also called plug and play solar panels — are pretty much what they sound like. You can plug them into any standard wall outlet, and the energy they produce flows into your apartment, instantly solar powering some of your energy use.
I haven’t seen many people talk about plug in panels, but I’m hoping that changes soon. Stephan Scherer, founder of Craftstrom, a maker of plug and play solar kits, told me the kits are more common in Europe. “And the US is always a little behind Europe in solar,” he said. He added that, because much of the US is at a lower latitude, they can pay for themselves even quicker here.
In my opinion, plug and play solar kits are a great option for renters. You can mount them anywhere on your apartment that gets a lot of sun — a roof, railing, balcony. And they can be pretty affordable.
Just be prepared to do a bit of research to figure out the right size kit for you, and if your city has any regulations on these types of kits.
Pros
- Can be installed quickly and easily without professional help
- Can be mounted anywhere on your apartment that gets good sun
- Oftentimes doesn’t require any permits
- Portable — can be taken with you when you move
- Reduces your carbon footprint
Cons
- Must inform your utility and get permission from your landlord or HOA
- May have to sign an interconnection agreement with your utility if you produce more power than you consume
How to Do It
Contact your landlord or HOA and get permission to add plug-in panels to your apartment or condo.
Go to Craftstrom and research the right size kit for your apartment or condo. Knowing what kit you plan to buy beforehand will help when you contact your utility. (I like Craftstrom’s kits because they’re designed to never produce more power than you consume, meaning you won’t have to sign an interconnection agreement with your utility. Many other kits don’t have this feature.)
Contact your electric utility and ask them about their policy on plug and play solar systems. If they allow them, inform them of your intentions to install one. This is where knowing the size and specs of your preferred system is helpful. Some plug in solar brands mention they will provide electrical diagrams should your utility ask.
Buy and install the plug in solar panels according to the brand’s instructions. Many brands claim you can do it in less than an hour.
Yes, it’s a bit of a hassle to reach out to your landlord and utility and do research on what size kit to get. But contrast that with how much research and paperwork you’d have to do if you were a homeowner installing solar panels on your roof.
Make Your Own Portable Solar Panel System
I write a lot about DIY solar power on this site, so you might think I’d trumpet this option as the best one. In reality, I think it’s a poor option for most renters.
Because you’re essentially building a small off-grid power system, you need to buy all the equipment and connect it all yourself. It’s requires knowledge of solar electrical systems, and it’s the costliest route in terms of price per watt.
How to Do It
Note: This will be a very high-level overview of how to set up a small 100W DIY solar panel system that can power a few small devices like your phone, laptop, and some LED lights. For full instructions, check out this tutorial.
Instructions
Connect the inverter and charge controller to the battery.
Connect the solar panel to the charge controller.
Mount or place your solar panel outside in direct sunlight.
Power your devices by plugging them into the inverter. For instance, I plugged my ebike charger into the inverter.
The panel will generate solar energy during the day and store it in the battery. You can then use the battery to charge and power your devices by plugging them into the inverter.
Buy Green Energy via Renewable Energy Certificates
Renewable energy certificates (RECs) track renewable energy as it moves through the US power grid. When a renewable energy provider — like a solar or wind farm — produces energy, they receive RECs to represent that energy. The provider can then sell the RECs as a sort of proof of ownership of that energy.
If you buy RECs equivalent to your energy consumption, you’ve technically powered your home entirely with green energy. But RECs are far from a perfect option. A lot of times, they don’t lead to any additional clean energy on the grid. They just end up being a way for clean energy projects to make a tiny bit of side income.
Here’s where I personally stand on RECs: I don’t expect my buying them to decide the fate of any clean energy project. But, in the aggregate, I think they make a small, positive impact across the clean energy industry as a whole.
In most places around the country, RECs are pretty cheap. If buying them is the only way to ‘solar power’ your apartment, then I think they’re a tad bit better than doing nothing.
How to Do It
Go to Arcadia. (There are many places to buy RECs. I’ll show you how to do it with Arcadia because I think they make it easiest.)
Enter your zip code, select your electric utility, then click “Continue.” I live in Atlanta, so I entered my zip code, 30312, and selected Georgia Power.
Note: Arcadia first looks to see if there are any community solar projects in your area. If there are, I’d recommend joining one rather than buying RECs.
Sign up then click “Continue.”
Sync your utility account to Arcadia. To do so, you just need to log in to your utility account.
Add a payment method. The first month is free. After that Arcadia charges just 5 per month to purchase and retire RECs equivalent to your energy usage.
Arcadia will now buy RECs on your behalf based on your monthly energy usage. You can go to your account to see things like how much green energy you’re using, and where it comes from.
The Bottom Line
There are ways to solar power your apartment — even if your apartment doesn’t get any sun, and your landlord doesn’t want to install solar panels.
As a renter myself, I spent hours looking into the options. After all that, here are my 3 favorites:
- Community solar doesn’t require a roof, can instantly reduce your power bill, and helps support solar energy projects in your community
- Rooftop solar panels are an option, too, but you’ll have to crunch the numbers and sell your landlord on the idea
- Plug in solar panels can be installed in a day and will instantly start solar powering some of your energy use
If those options don’t work for you, you can build a DIY solar power system or buy green energy via RECs. Neither of these last two options is ideal in my eyes, but in some cases they may be better than nothing.