DIY Solar Power - Made Easy!
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Ultra Lightweight

​This setup works well if you:
  • Are backpacking and need to travel in cars, trains, bicycles and planes
  • Live in a very small vehicle and are unable to wire up a deep cycle battery bank
  • Need to charge your cellphone, a laptop, camera and other travel tools
Recommended components:
  • A fold-up solar panel that produces 20-45 watts, with a USB cable output
  • USB Battery Banks (2-4) with fast charge capabilities (4 amps input)
  • Fast Charge USB AC adapter (to charge the battery banks when there is no sunlight)
  • Laptop/camera/phone that can charge with a USB. If you have a powerful laptop, use a portable laptop external battery charger
  • Available online are lights, fans, hand warmers and more, all powered by USB
Note: Use the fold up USB solar panel or AC USB adapter to charge the USB battery banks. This entire setup can easily fit in a backpack and can be used in vehicles, or while backpacking.

What I recommend
​​(Affiliate Links Below)

Choose a fold up USB solar panel:

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BigBlue 28 Watts Solar Panel
Click Here
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 Nektech 21 watt Solar Panel
Click Here

And a USB Charger/Inverter (if you have access to a cigarette lighter)

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This is my favorite! And what I currently use in my super lightweight minivan setup:
Click here for a cheap price
This one can produce 400 watts... which is a bad idea if your cigarette lighter is rated to only handle only 120 watts (typically). I would only use this inverter to power devices larger than 120 watts if it is hardwired to the vehicles ignition power wires. Great inverter! Check it out:
Click here for a cheap price

Choose a Battery Bank:

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Buy 2 or more: Fast Charge 20000mAh Power Bank 
 Click Here 
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MAXOAK 50000mAh 6 Port(5/12/20v) Portable Charger External Battery Power Bank for Laptop & Notebook
 Click Here

Choose the Cables:

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Anker [5-Pack] Fast Charge Micro USB Cables
Click Here
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Anker USB 3.0 Hub. Charge multiple battery banks with one solar panel
Click Here
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USB Extension Cable (hide your battery banks and still charge them)
Click Here 

USB powered appliances:

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USB Powered Lights click here
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USB Powered Fan click here
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USB Powered White LED lights click here
Micro LED USB lights click here

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I make a commission for sales made through affiliate links posted on this website
  • Home
  • DIY Solar Packages
    • Vehicle Mounted 12v Systems >
      • The Minimalist (great for small vans and cars)
      • The Classic 400 Watt (RV's, Vans, Buses)
      • 400 Watt w/ Alternator Charging
      • The Off Grid King (Power Anything!)
    • 48V Offgrid System Blueprint
    • Complete 48V Solar Kits
    • All-in-One 12/24/48V Packages
    • Code Compliant 48V Offgrid System
    • Design Your Own Raw LiFePO4 System
    • Grid-tie Systems
    • Other Packages >
      • Solar Trailer
      • 2000 watt, 24v Solar System
      • 4000 watt, 24v Solar System
      • Milk Crate Solar Power System
      • 12v Solar without a Battery
  • Solar Batteries
    • 12V Lithium Batteries
    • 48V Server Rack LiFePO4
    • Raw LiFePO4 Cells
    • BMS
    • Sealed Lead Acid Batteries
  • Solar Components
    • 50-250W Solar Panels
    • 300W+ Solar Panels
    • 48V All-in-one Buyer's Guide
    • Inverters
    • Solar Charge Controllers
    • Battery Chargers
    • Wire and Connectors
    • Fuses and Circuit Breakers
    • Battery Monitors
    • Battery Capacity Testers
    • Automatic Transfer Switches
    • Battery Isolators
    • Tools
  • Plug-N-Play Systems
    • Full Size Systems
    • Ultra Portable Systems
  • Appliances
    • Solar Friendly Air Conditioners
    • 12v Fridges
  • DIY Solar Book
  • Videos
    • Electricity for Dummies
    • Solar Power for First Timers
    • General Solar Education Videos
    • DIY LiFePO4 Video Series
    • Solar Wiring Configuration Diagrams
  • The Forum
  • Help Section
    • How to Mount Solar Panels to a Vehicle
    • How to connect Solar Panels to your Solar Generator
  • Contact Me
  • Policies and Disclaimers