The portable solar power system comes in many forms. Some use hard solar panels, while others use flexible panels that can be easily folded and stored. There are also some that are waterproof and designed for any terrain. Commercial portable systems are much cheaper than their non-portable counterpart. Prices range from $600 to well over a thousand. This article is about what to consider when choosing a portable solar power system.

Typically, a portable solar power system will consist of 3 components: power source, energy storage device, and power distribution. The power source comes in the form of solar panels that can be either rigid or flexible panels. The energy storage device contains batteries that maintain the charge, while the power distribution can be an AC inverter or simply a DC outlet.

The power supply you choose depends on your applications and where it is likely to be placed. If you are likely to carry it with you most of the time, the weight is important. Panels that can be rolled or folded for easy storage and transportation are best for this purpose. If you are setting up a system that you want to leave at a remote site for weeks and months, a rigid panel should be used that is designed for various weather conditions and has a higher power output to provide a continuous power supply even overnight. .

Another consideration you need for your power supply is scalability. If you anticipate the need to expand the power capacity of the portable solar power system, you need to purchase those panels that can be daisy chained for higher output capacity. Talking about capacity brings us to the next component, energy storage.

Energy storage devices are pretty straightforward, the higher the capacity, the heavier and bulkier the device. Some energy storage devices provide DC outputs or AC outputs only or both.

For power distribution, most portable solar power systems provide 12V DC output. If you are charging or powering devices that come with car adapters, it will be much easier. If not, you’ll need an inverter to convert DC to AC. Some energy storage devices have built-in AC inverters, so you may want to consider these depending on the devices you’re powering.

George Tho is a DIY enthusiast. Read his review for a complete guide on how to assemble a portable solar power system under $200, even if he’s a complete DIY newbie.