The history of solar power battery chargers has to begin with the advent of solar power. Attempts to capture the power of the sun have been made since the dawn of man. Realizing its power to give heat and light, intrigued man from the beginning of time. Leonardo da Vinci studied the sun and ways to harness it in the fifteenth century.

Although modern science has taken away the romance of sun gods, mystical beings and other myths and tales, it has not lost its curiosity. Harnessing the suns power to be used in batteries has been around since France decided it needed an alternate energy source long before the fuel shortage of the seventies.

Charles Fritz managed to turn the suns rays into electricity with the first solar cell in 1883. It wasn’t until later in the 1880′s that a solar cell was used to warm water in his house. The studies went on. The possibilities of using up all of the nonrenewable resources was well known in the nineteenth century. People around the world still chose to use coal and other nonrenewable energy sources as though they would never end, or have any consequences.

Three scientists from Bell Labs, Calvin Fuller, Daryl Chaplin and Gerald Pearson made the discovery that silicon was a very good semiconductor.  Today solar cells and panels are usually made of silicon.

These small yet applaudable steps were baby steps to the many uses of solar energy today. Now, solar energy is influencing the production of energy much more than those in history ever imagined. It is no longer history, it is the future that depends on solar power and the ability to use the sun as an energy source and to not deplete the earth of nonrenewable resources.

Then the price of oil doubled in the seventies, the government of the United States finally decided to invest time and funds into the development of the solar cell. This is the same solar electric cell that was produced in 1953 by the scientists at Bell Laboratories.

Today the assortment of solar powered battery chargers is amazing. When you inventory your electronic gadgets, you know that everyone needs to be charged in one way or another. You will find out that most of those electric chargers can be replaced by solar battery chargers.

The solar charger contains solar panels. When these panels are placed in direct sunlight, the panels will convert the energy from the sun and store it in your battery. The more energy you want, the larger the solar panel you will need. Portable solar chargers are available and built into many small devices. Solar powered calculators have been around for decades. At first large and cumbersome, they are now pocket sized and more efficient.

Internal solar batteries are usually what you will find in these small hand held devices. Price counts. There are some that are too small to charge the device with just the sun, but can charge the internal battery. Internal batteries will most likely have to be replaced before the device wears out. Replacement of an internal battery will most likely occur every couple of years and is a danger to the ecosystem. A weak battery in a new device is also a potential issue.

External solar chargers are great when you aren’t anywhere close to an electric outlet. You can plug the charger into your device on a beach, in a foreign country or out in a boat with no AC power. They are also great if you are camping. You can get solar panels large enough to keep everything in your camp charged and usable without tapping into electrical power supplies. They are great for any emergency, survival or your pleasure when electricity is not available.

Before you invest in a solar charger, it will be important to see if your appliances and devices can be used with one. The additional purchase of cables may be necessary in some instances.

In order to charge rechargeable batteries you will need a separate solar power charger. Since this will most likely be used outdoors, it is important to buy one that is weatherproof. Keep the connections clean and free from anything that may clog them and the panels themselves will function more efficiently if they are also kept clean and free from dust and grime.

• Foldable 12-volt, 6-watt solar panel folds up and stores in portable sack
• Ideal for running cell phones or charging digital still and video cameras
• High-performance CIGS solar cells are ultra-efficient; reverse flow protection
• Links with up to two additional Solaris panels for increased output power
• Measures 29 x 9 inches when open and weighs 7.1 ounces; one-year warranty

Product Description
The next generation of Solaris¿ foldable technology is here. CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide) is the most efficient thin film solar technology available. The Solaris 6 and 12 are the most compact models in our line. This unit offers reverse flow protection, multi section folding panels for ease of storage and use, complete with folding storage sack, Vehicle outlet cable, multi-linking cable and battery clamp cable. One Year Warranty. Contact us for Cust… More >>

Brunton 6 Watt Foldable Solar Array

Product Description
This do-it-yourself solar battery charger kit uses our high quality encapsulated 2V 400mA solar panels. The completed charger can charge 2 or 4 AAA or AA NiMH batteries at a time.

Requires no soldering. Just connect the wires and you’re ready to start charging your batteries in the sun.

If you were charging 2 of our 1700mA AA Batteries it would take a little over 4 hours to completely charge 2 batteries. It would take about 8 1/2 if you were charging 4 AA batterie… More >>

Build-it-Yourself High Speed Solar Battery Charger for AA and AAA Batteries

• Charge NiCad or NiMH batteries: 2-4 AA, AAA, C, D, or 9 Volt (1-2 batteries) or any other 12 volt device
• Flexible and durable solar cells based on the revolutionary CIGS technology: a proven innovation used in space, military and large grid installation
• Lightweight less than 1-lb. each panel
• Functions with many devices even in cloudy and rainy skies.
• Easily folds into a planner-size pack that fits virtually anywhere including backpacks, glove boxes, purses, cargo pant pockets.

Product Description
12 Watt Foldable Solar Battery Charger – NiCad or NiMH AA, AAA, C, D, 9V combines the Sunlinq Foldable 12 watt solar battery charger with the RA4 Fast Charger Solar Battery Charger Pack. Charge NiCad or NiMH batteries: 2-4 AA, AAA, C, D, or 9 Volt (1-2 batteries) or any other 12 volt device. Fast Charger Solar Battery Charger Pack with 800 mA charging current includes discharge function and a 12 Volt cigarette lighter adapter for easy connection to the solar panel. … More >>

12 Watt Foldable Solar Battery Charger – NiCad or NiMH AA, AAA, C, D, 9V

It is reported that scientists from America, Belgium and Korea are researching a new method to collect the solar energy and convert it to direct current. The research also makes the design of solar energy convertor possible. Scitech solar maintain that this innovative technology will largely improve the energy conversion efficiency. Compared with the solar energy battery, the cost is also cut down.

This technology is expandable, sustainable and environmental protective. These make the manufacturers able to find out the new material economically when the supply of some material is short. This new technology is based on the special process of light rectification. With a single component, the device absorbs the energy from the infrared ray to the visible light spectrum.

Compared with the traditional solar energy battery, the new technology improves the conversion efficiency through absorbing the solar spectrum. This single component is able to absorb the solar energy; meanwhile, it will convert the solar energy into electric energy. This device is called rectifier diode antenna which has been utilized in the microwave electric power transmission field. The efficiency can reach fifty percent. This device is made from the metal wire; therefore, the shortcoming of the semiconductor can not limit the performance of the device.

What is more, this single component can be operated under the high temperature. For the traditional semiconductor battery, its performance will be largely influenced when the temperature is higher than 200 centigrade. Scientists have taken large amount of quantum computation to simulate the device. The result of computer simulation is in conformity with the practical operation. This research indicates that rectifying in the visible light spectrum is practicable and the indirect current will be created in this process. Scientists have implemented the high conversion efficiency which even can reach fifty percent. Now, they are still establishing the prototype, including the more durable structure, to improve the efficiency better. The related integrated circuit is Z86128.

• Built in 3500mAh high capacity rechargeable polymer lithium-ion battery.
• Chargeable by Sunlight, USB, AC adapter or Car charger
• USB Cable Included to charge PowerBar.
• Connect Smartphone, MP3 Players, GPS device, Bluetooth etc from your device cable.
• Plug in your existing USB to device cable and charge any gadget between 3.6V and 5.5V.

Product Description
The Solar Bar is a multi-functional solar powered emergency charger. The built in 3500mAh high capacity rechargeable polymer lithium-ion battery can, of course, be charged by sunlight, as well as by computer via USB, AC adapter or car charger (all with the included charging cable). It?s easy and convenient to charge all of your different mobile digital devices, from your mobile phone to your digital camera, MP3 player, GPS device or Bluetooth headset. Plug in your e… More >>

Amzer PowerBAR 3500 mAh AMZ20799 Solar Battery Charger

• Sleek, light-weight 450 mA solar battery
• Charges on mini USB port or in the sun
• On cloudy days use as a spare battery
• Little and often solar charging
• Adds only 8mm and 69g to iPhone

Product Description
The Mi-Power iPhone solar battery means you never have to miss an important call. The Mi-Power sleeve is a convenient spare battery for your iPhone offering USB and solar charging (in strong natural sunlight).

Designed to be ready when you need it, wherever you are it provides approximately 20% additional power to your iPhone (approx 45 minutes talk-time or 40 hours standby*). Designed to be a ‘little and often’ charging solution the 450mA battery is charged inter… More >>

Mi-Power Solar Battery Charger for iPhone 3G & 3GS

• Use to preserve battery power in boats, SUV’s, RV’s
• Also great for use in limiting battery drain while using notebooks, cell phones, and other electric devices
• Weatherproof housing allows use in all weather conditions
• Plugs directly into 12 V power outlet
• Maximum power output: 1.5Watts

Product Description
Losin’ Juice? Or usin’ it up? This nice solar cell is made to prevent battery drain in cars, boats, snowmobiles (or anything else with a 12-volt) during storage or because you’re running stuff like cell phones, laptops, or various pods off of said battery. Rated for 12VDC 120mA, it measures 14-3/4″ x 6-1/4″ x 3/4″ OA with an 11-3/4″ x 4″ cell. The 91″ cord leads to a fused and polarity-protected cigarette-lighter plug. Has 14.7 VDC output with no load, an LED indica… More >>

12 V Solar Battery Maintainer

  Solar battery has found its wide application in many industries for its energy saving, environmental friendly, long life and other advantages. Usually, the life span of solar batteries is designed up to more than 25 years. To achieve such long validity, a strict control of component quality should be guaranteed. Of all the components, the back sheet of solar battery is of great importance. The back sheet protects the battery of photovoltaic set. Further, one of the important indexes evaluating back sheet quality is the moisture barrier property. If the moisture barrier performance is not good, the moisture in ambient atmosphere would migrate into the inside through the back sheet, especially in rainy days. The moisture permeation would affect the adhesive performance of EVA and lead to EVA off, thus, further direct contact of moisture with battery leads to oxidization of battery.

  The above mentioned back sheet is termed as TPT polyfluoroethylene laminated film, and usually consists of three layers of PVF, PET and PVF. The outer PVF is a good protect against ambient corrosion. The mid-layer, PET film, has good isolation ability. And the inner PVF, after treatment, has good adhesive performance with the EVA.

1. Labthink Instruments Co., Ltd. introduces Labthink PERME TSY-T series moisture barrier/transmission testers and PERME W3/330 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System. PERME TSY-T series of testers has three types, namely, PERME TSY-T1L, PERME TSY-T1H and TSY-T3. These testers comply with weigh method, and are applicable to test moisture transmission rate of back sheet, plastics and laminated materials. Through moisture transmission testing, control and adjustment of materials can be achieved for demand for applications. This series of products are intellectual and fully automatic with no human interface; among which, PERME TSY-T3 Water Vapor Permeability Tester can carry out 12 independent testing simultaneously in 12 chambers with 12 different materials. The whole testing procedure, including temperature and humidity are automatically controlled.

2. Labthink PERME W3/330 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System, with its patent chamber design, can accomplish group testing of 3 individual or similar specimens with different results. Meanwhile, its master-satellite mode can realize 30 specimens tested simultaneously with 9 satellite bases connected to the master base, which greatly satisfy the lab demands.

3. Photovoltaic (PV)Component Appearance Inspection

  Labthink introduces PARAM SPS-80T Double Light Source Color Matching Table for inspection of battery fragments, dark strips, colors, chromatism and welding. PARAM SPS-80T is of CIE D65 light and A light configuration, whose technical indexes complies with regulations of CIE (Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage, or International Commission on Illumination) and CY3-91 on light conditions of color evaluation, matching and light conditions. This double light source color matching table can guarantee all-weather testing application.

4. Photovoltaic (PV) EVA Peeling strength Testing

  Labthink PARAM XLW (PC) Auto Tensile Tester and PARAM BLD-200S Auto Stripping Tester specialize in peeling/stripping strength testing of EVA material in photovoltaic components. 

5. Battery Sheet Thickness Testing

  Labthink.introduces Labthink PARAM CHY-C2 and PARAM CHY-CA Thickness Testers for battery sheet thickness testing. The requirement for high accuracy can be achieved by these thickness testers up to 0.1um. Both PARAM CHY-CA Thickness Tester and CHY-C2 Thickness Tester are of high accuracy and high efficiency; furthermore, CHY-CA is equipped with automatic sample feeding for constant testing requirements.

 Further information, please feel free to contact Shirley via trade2@labthink.cn, skype:shirley-labthink or MSN:shirleywu_labthink@hotmail.com

• Environmentally friendly alternative to traditional battery charging
• For use with models S21HB and EP21H
• This charger will fully charge the batteries in 2 to 5 days
• Battery holder included
• 1 Year Limited Warranty

Solaris/Epic 510143 Environmentally Friendly Solar Battery Charger For Epic and Solaris Cordless Lawn Mowers