| I can still remember the analogue days of travel, | | | | device. Bigger solar panels generally provide more |
| when I backpacked through Europe and Asia with | | | | power. Other factors influence the amount of |
| no more electronics than a couple of Double-A | | | | electricity produced by a solar power device. |
| batteries (at best). I only needed them if I | | | | These factors include the strength of the sun, the |
| wanted to use the flash on my camera. That was | | | | length of exposure to the sun, the obstruction to |
| less than fifteen years ago. | | | | sun (mist, cloud cover, dust, etc.), and the location |
| Now I don't even go to the zoo without my | | | | of the equipment on the Earth. |
| laptop and my digital camera. When the battery | | | | Different solar power devices provide different |
| runs out, it's time for coffee. And then I make | | | | amounts of power, and are therefore compatible |
| sure I sit near a power outlet in the nearest cafe. | | | | with different types of equipment. |
| But what do you do when there are no power | | | | Portable Solar Power devices also exist in a |
| outlets? If you are kayaking in the middle of the | | | | variety of forms. Some are light and flexible, while |
| Atlantic, climbing Mount Everest, or just on a local | | | | some are contained in durable units that look like a |
| camping trip in the wilderness, what do you do | | | | small suitcase or radio. There are waterproof |
| when the batteries run out? | | | | varieties, as well as solar panels built into bags and |
| Some say "just bring extra batteries." That might | | | | backpacks. |
| work. | | | | When you are away for a few days, extra |
| But what if you have several different electronic | | | | batteries may suffice to keep your camera or |
| items, and you don't want to buy spare batteries | | | | phone going. But if you will be away from |
| for each of them? What if you'll be away from | | | | civilization for weeks? Or even months? Ironically, |
| civilization for an extended period of time, and the | | | | escaping from the modern world can also involve |
| spare batteries just won't last? | | | | modern solutions. Far and alone on the Patagonian |
| A solution for this can be portable solar power. | | | | plains, with nothing but the wind and the horses to |
| Devices exist which will charge your electronic | | | | keep you company, you may feel like you're living |
| equipment, using the power of the sun. | | | | six centuries into the past. But that doesn't mean |
| Not all portable solar power devices are the same. | | | | you will never want to access your email or take |
| Some provide enough power to charge a laptop, | | | | a photograph. |
| some can be used for smaller devices such as | | | | So don't cancel that 45-day mountain trek. And |
| cameras, and some can only be used for devices | | | | don't leave your digital camera behind. |
| that use very little electricity - like MP3 players. | | | | We don't all have to be tethered to the power |
| The amount of power that a solar device | | | | lines. |
| provides depends mostly on the size of the | | | | |