Portable Solar Panels: Worth the Investment or Not?
Been mulling this over for a while, and thought I'd drag it over here to see what y'all think. Portable solar panels, the ones you can fold up and pack away, are they really worth the investment?
No doubt about it, renewable energy is the way to go if you're looking at long-term survival. But are these gadgets up to the job? Talking about the lightweight ones, not the heavy-duty rooftop variety.
I've done my homework. Scoured reviews and product specs. There's a broad range of efficiency, durability, and of course, price. Some are as portable as a paperback, but then again, if the wind huffs and puffs... yeah, you get the idea. Others are rugged, weather-resistant beasts but heft like a sack of potatoes. It's a flip-flop between human-portable and Mother Nature-proof.
Then there's the juice. How much power can you expect in perfect sunshine versus cloud cover, dawn or dusk? We all know how unpredictable weather can be.
And, do they really last? Those panels ain't cheap, so longevity is a big factor. Are they a worthwhile addition to the survival kit or just a fancypants gadget that'll leave you in the dark (quite literally) when you need them the most?
What's been your experience? Have they proved their worth or left you regretting the dent in your wallet?
No doubt about it, renewable energy is the way to go if you're looking at long-term survival. But are these gadgets up to the job? Talking about the lightweight ones, not the heavy-duty rooftop variety.
I've done my homework. Scoured reviews and product specs. There's a broad range of efficiency, durability, and of course, price. Some are as portable as a paperback, but then again, if the wind huffs and puffs... yeah, you get the idea. Others are rugged, weather-resistant beasts but heft like a sack of potatoes. It's a flip-flop between human-portable and Mother Nature-proof.
Then there's the juice. How much power can you expect in perfect sunshine versus cloud cover, dawn or dusk? We all know how unpredictable weather can be.
And, do they really last? Those panels ain't cheap, so longevity is a big factor. Are they a worthwhile addition to the survival kit or just a fancypants gadget that'll leave you in the dark (quite literally) when you need them the most?
What's been your experience? Have they proved their worth or left you regretting the dent in your wallet?