Kickstarter Project Offers Big Solar Energy On The Go

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at 350 watts i could see this powering a low end computer like the imac or E-pc just off of solar power for the size thats a pretty high output for power something like that would be great for emergencies and charging laptops or powering laptops with out being plugged into the wall outlet .. I would how ever try and find a way to store that current into a battery though it would be worth it to have something like that that could provide enough power to supply a 750watt computer system ..
 
Its a shame kickstarter is now full of scams and bad wannabe game makers that it has defiled the whole meaning of it. Cant take anything related to kickstarter seriously anymore.
 
This is actually pretty cool. If it could power some speakers and a stereo, you could have a daytime party just about anywhere that their is enough sun
 
Unless they're packing some technological breakthrough that they've managed to keep secret, this thing is smoke and mirrors. There's no way they're generating ~200 watts with 12 sq.ft. of solar panel.
 
[citation][nom]fb39ca4[/nom]How many watts does the solar panel by itself produce?[/citation]
I'm guessing around 50, in optimal lighting conditions. Good for powering electronics for a while, especially if you let the battery charge up fully first. But a fridge? That better be one really tiny fridge. I'd be curious to know the peak watt output of the unit, that's important to determine if it can kick on the compressor.
 
[citation][nom]master_chen[/nom]They probably were testing that charging panel's early prototype on this http://gadget.brando.com/usb-mini- [...] 8d001.html one, or even maybe on something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/KOOLATRON- [...] 41697065a1I'd say - first one.[/citation]

Yep, that IS on really tiny fridge!
 
[citation][nom]Pennanen[/nom]Its a shame kickstarter is now full of scams and bad wannabe game makers that it has defiled the whole meaning of it. Cant take anything related to kickstarter seriously anymore.[/citation]
Not sure why you got thumbs down because what you said is true. So many of these kickstarters wont produce a product.
 
The problem with solar chargers is the number of connectors required for all our gadgets. What's required is some type of conductive (but safe) putty that you can stick a connector into to guarantee compatibility.
 
bad investment,

a device like that seems to be using a custom li-ion battery,that might not be user replaceable, anyone buying it will have to know that they are spending $500 for a device that may only last 2-3 years.

you can build your own solar charger that will perform better and cost much less. Instead of using a custom battery, simply make use of popular laptop batteries (slots for multiple batteries), then have an input fir connecting multiple solar panels (this will allow you to expand to having more panels if needed)
 
Personally I think I'd rather go the more traditional route and have the battery power the electronic and the solar power charge the battery. It just seems more effective to rely on something that has the power already there than to hope that a mobile solar power source provides enough constantly and won't be blocked or moved out of the suns path while using it.
 
Hi everyone. I thought I would drop in on the conversation to help clear some things up.

First, it most definitely can develop 200 W in 12 sq ft. using mono crystalline. For instance, note this product which has a similar sized surface area:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200w-x-1-Solar-Panel-Monocrystalline-Local-Pickup-Oswego-NY-200-watts-kw-/120971120831?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2a70d0bf#ht_989wt_1397

Rest assured, we do not get our components from eBay, and have cutting edge efficient panels which are a bit more efficient than those.

Please keep in mind it is a small dorm fridge we are talking about - and that is life changing stuff for millions of people. This one runs on 90 watts (half the solar power generated): http://www.amazon.com/Danby-DAR195BL-1-8-cu-ft-Refrigerator/dp/B000FAR33M/ref=pd_sbs_la_1

Our goal has never been to power a modern home (some day, maybe...). But rather to bring power to people who have sun - but often little else - to run basic electronics. Plus, for those of us with access to regular grid power, to give you a great option for back-up power.

THANK YOU for keeping the conversation going!

- Brian from Peppermint Energy

 
[citation][nom]peppermint[/nom]Hi everyone. I thought I would drop in on the conversation to help clear some things up. First, it most definitely can develop 200 W in 12 sq ft. using mono crystalline. For instance, note this product which has a similar sized surface area: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200w-x-1-S [...] 989wt_1397Rest assured, we do not get our components from eBay, and have cutting edge efficient panels which are a bit more efficient than those. Please keep in mind it is a small dorm fridge we are talking about - and that is life changing stuff for millions of people. This one runs on 90 watts (half the solar power generated): http://www.amazon.com/Danby-DAR195 [...] d_sbs_la_1Our goal has never been to power a modern home (some day, maybe...). But rather to bring power to people who have sun - but often little else - to run basic electronics. Plus, for those of us with access to regular grid power, to give you a great option for back-up power. THANK YOU for keeping the conversation going! - Brian from Peppermint Energy[/citation]
[citation][nom]peppermint[/nom]Hi everyone. I thought I would drop in on the conversation to help clear some things up. First, it most definitely can develop 200 W in 12 sq ft. using mono crystalline. For instance, note this product which has a similar sized surface area: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200w-x-1-S [...] 989wt_1397Rest assured, we do not get our components from eBay, and have cutting edge efficient panels which are a bit more efficient than those. Please keep in mind it is a small dorm fridge we are talking about - and that is life changing stuff for millions of people. This one runs on 90 watts (half the solar power generated): http://www.amazon.com/Danby-DAR195 [...] d_sbs_la_1Our goal has never been to power a modern home (some day, maybe...). But rather to bring power to people who have sun - but often little else - to run basic electronics. Plus, for those of us with access to regular grid power, to give you a great option for back-up power. THANK YOU for keeping the conversation going! - Brian from Peppermint Energy[/citation]

There is no way that little breifcase thing is 12 square feet.
 
[citation][nom]mjflis[/nom]There is no way that little breifcase thing is 12 square feet.[/citation]

It's 2 feet by 3 feet, with two panels. Get out your calculator.
 
[citation][nom]fb39ca4[/nom]How many watts does the solar panel by itself produce?[/citation]
According to project page:
•Solar: ~180-200 watts
 
[citation][nom]alextheblue[/nom]I'm guessing around 50, in optimal lighting conditions. [/citation]
Guessing is not always good.
 
One of these: http://us.sunpowercorp.com/homes/products-services/solar-panels/e20/

produces 327W over a 16W per sq foot which would produce ~200W from a 12 sq ft panel.

Granted SunPower makes the most efficient consumer panels currently on the market, but just pointing out that what they're offering is not impossible with current technology.
 
One of these: http://us.sunpowercorp.com/homes/products-services/solar-panels/e20/

produces 327W over a less than 20 sq ft area. That works out to more than 16W per sq foot which would produce ~200W from a 12 sq ft panel.

Granted SunPower makes the most efficient consumer panels currently on the market, but just pointing out that what they're offering is not impossible with current technology.
 
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