Solar Power for the Hiker

Hikers prefer lightweight gear – that is, frequent hikers do. There are websites that teach hikers how to lighten their packs. Other websites sell gear that is ultra light. So how can a hiker pack along solar power and still have light gear?

Solar power for hikers is available in a growing number of applications. Small. Compact. Lightweight. Solar power can be carried into the most remote areas with little effort.

Solar Power “Juice Bags”

Solar power “Juice Bags” are one way of carrying solar power without undue weight. At about 2.5 pounds – 1.1 kilograms – the “Juice Bag” comes in a variety of styles and colors. Every backpack gives hikers free, silent, cool, clean electricity. The “Juice Bag’s” flexible solar power panel consists of 52 solar cells, and represents the latest in flexible solar technology. It also lets you pack along other things in the same backpack. The hiker gets solar power for camera, cell phone, MP3 player, and more.

We review the solar power of “Juice Bags” on this website. To read that review, click here or on the dark blue “Juice Bags” tab at the top of this page. To visit the “Juice Bags” website directly, click here. You will be redirected immediately.

Solar Power “Power Pockets”

The same website that offers “Juice Bags” provides another, smaller solar power option for hikers – “Power Pockets”. A 7 ounce “Power Pocket” gives the hiker 6.5 watts of solar power. A full 12 watt “Power Pocket” provides solar power at only 13 ounces – 0.36 kilograms of weight. “Power Pockets” use the most current “Thin-Film” solar power technology. The small, foldable, easily-stowed pocket quickly and efficiently turns sunshine into electricity. Hikers can charge cell phones, games, PDA’s, and any other electronic device you could plug into your car’s cigarette lighter!

Solar Power Battery

Perhaps the lightest solar power solution for hikers is the solar power battery. This hand-held battery weighs than 4 ounces, and operates equipment when the sun goes down, or the sky is cloudy. Charge it at home or in your vehicle. Then get the boost you need from this small device. It measures just 4 inches by 2.5 inches by 1 inch. Fits in your hand. This also is available at the “Juice Bag” website above.

Solar Power Applications for Hikers

What can you power with these lightweight solar power applications? Most things that you can plug into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter. You simply plug in the adapter the device manufacturer includes for vehicular recharges. You can run the device from your solar power or recharge the device. Here’s a partial list of devices for which hikers need solar power.

* cell phone
* PDA
* digital camera
* digital camcorder
* MP3 player
* satellite phone
* GPS unit
* portable video game
* portable DVD player

Lightweight solar power for hikers and campers will soon be available in units strong enough to power laptop computers.

You may believe you have no need for solar power. You start out with everything fully charged. In an emergency, however, you will be glad you have solar power to recharge a dying cell phone or GPS unit.