Storing solar energy in USB power banks
Collecting, storing and using solar electricity to power my phone, computer and wearables
Apr. 30, 2018 - Willem L. Middelkoop
For the past 10 days I have powered my personal electronic devices (phone, computer, wearables) using nothing but energy collected using a small solar panel. I disconnected all grid-connected chargers. I hoped that by going off the grid, even in such a small way, I would gain insights that enable me to save energy (and money).
Continue reading![Clamping the solar panel using server parts](/blog/2018-04-30_off-the-grid-working-on-100-renewable-energy/images/i_07_Clamping-the-solar-panel-using-server-parts_500px.jpg)
![Gomadic portable Solar Charger - 15W - 330 x 305 x 38 mm](/blog/2018-04-30_off-the-grid-working-on-100-renewable-energy/images/i_00_Gomadic-portable-Solar-Charger-15W-330-x-305-x-38-mm_500px.jpg)
![Finding a way to fix the panel in a way that the weather would not harm it](/blog/2018-04-30_off-the-grid-working-on-100-renewable-energy/images/i_01_Finding-a-way-to-fix-the-panel-in-a-way-that-the-weather-would-not-harm-it_500px.jpg)
![Once the front of a server, now part of the solar panel mounting fixture](/blog/2018-04-30_off-the-grid-working-on-100-renewable-energy/images/i_08_Once-the-front-of-a-server-now-part-of-the-solar-panel-mounting-fixture_500px.jpg)
![Charging Biostrap using solar energy from the Anker power bank](/blog/2018-04-30_off-the-grid-working-on-100-renewable-energy/images/i_12_Charging-Biostrap-using-solar-energy-from-the-Anker-power-bank_500px.jpg)
![Achieved a nice angle with three legs, suitable for fixture on my balcony](/blog/2018-04-30_off-the-grid-working-on-100-renewable-energy/images/i_09_Achieved-a-nice-angle-with-three-legs-suitable-for-fixture-on-my-balcony_500px.jpg)