Laptop Solar Power charger

alirob12

Hi I am trying to find a solar power laptop charger. I use my laptop a lot and would like to be eco friendly and keep it topped up using the solar power. Any ideas anyone?

Also would like a solar powered desk lamp if anyone know of any (something decent please)

Many thanks

penrhyn

I found this 50 watt kit, should have enough power for the laptop and a few other items.

http://www.rainbowtradingpost.co.uk/solarkit1.html

maplins have this one
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223250&C=Froogle&U=223250&T=Module
But you have to supply your own battery and mains inverter.

espresso

penrhyn wrote: »

I found this 50 watt kit, should have enough power for the laptop and a few other items.

http://www.rainbowtradingpost.co.uk/solarkit1.html

Price £516.45

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alirob12

Espresso, have you got any other suggestions?? Thanks

espresso

alir!!!2 wrote: »

Espresso, have you got any other suggestions?? Thanks

Well you haven't specified a budget but this one is a quarter of the cost.

Google ethicalsuperstore

alirob12

that looks great,
i just want something small, to power all chargers, mobiles, laptops etc - just to save some cash and be eco friendly

Thx

espresso

alir!!!2 wrote: »

that looks great,
i just want something small, to power all chargers, mobiles, laptops etc - just to save some cash and be eco friendly

Thx

A laptop needs a much higher voltage than a mobile etc. Google Gorilla Laptop charger as the site is filtered on this forum.

S0litaire

My laptop pulls roughly 21Wh (when playing video and using wireless + bit torrent). The battery holds 38Wh (Watt hours).

You'll need at least a solar panel that gives 15Wh to either trickle charge the laptop (when off or on standby) or give you extra working time when in use.

Any less would not be of any real use. Any more would be too expensive for a money saving forum.

kwikbreaks

alir!!!2 wrote: »

just to save some cash and be eco friendly

I seriously doubt that you'll be saving any money. A laptop usually draws 20-40w which means you could run it 24x7 for ~ £20-£40 a year. Even the Solar Gorilla won't pay for itself for years.

On the eco front taking a day off work if you drive there would save more carbon emissions than your laptop will be responsible for in its lifetime.

Then you need to consider the practicalities of using a solar charger - I guess you could buy a 500w floodlight to keep you lappy charged with one in the winter.

penrhyn

What about a Weza, one of Trevor Baylis's gadgets, will keep you fit as well!

http://www.freeplayenergy.com/product/weza

redux

I agree that the case for solar chargers, whether house or portable sized, isn't so much environmental as being mandated for a few people by the remoteness of other power sources.

Charging a mobile phone from the mains costs about 15p to 50p a year, so a dedicated charger costing £35 is a waste for ordinary users. For a laptop the ratio isn't quite as poor, but I'd still hesitate to get one unless I take up round the world sailing or similar, and then a netbook would help as it uses only 9 or 10 watts.