Just perusing Ebuyer and came across this gem. Reviews seem decent, worth a punt at £5.99.
Showing as Free Delivery for me.
Info From Ebuyer:
We've all been there (or at least some of us have). On top of a mountain, deep in the woods or by a spectacular waterfall. We want to take a selfie or ring our friends to boast about our achievements, only to find our phone is dead. Crisis! What do we do? We need to capture the moment.
Relax. It's not a problem, at least it isn't if you have one of these handy Xenta solar chargers strapped to your backpack. Just plug your phone, or other compatible device, into the USB port attached to the back of the panel and use the sun to recharge your battery. Simples.
Using the Backpack solar panel
It's pretty easy. Set the panel up to catch some rays when you stop on your hike, hang it on a tent pole or attach it to your backpack. Once the solar panel captures the sun it will turn the rays into energy that you can harness by plugging your device into the panels USB port (cable not included). Under ideal conditions the panel can provide around one Amp of power.
At 19.6 x 29.3cm the panel is slightly smaller than an A4 sheet of paper, very light and easy to carry around. There is a hanging loop for added convenience.
Technically speaking
The Xenta solar panel is a 5 watt mono crystalline panel with a USB output port producing 5V/1A.
Features
USB port
Lightweight design
Mesh cover with zip to rear
Secure straps to hold phone
Works with any USB enabled device
Top comments
CrazyBob
23 Sep 1611#12
It is becoming a real problem on Amazon.
Getting difficult to find real unbiased reviews.
These 'paid for' reviews are mostly positive and generally don't offer anything of substance.
I ignore them and won't buy a product unless there is a good number of genuine reviews.
I hope Amazon take action on this.
bojangles
23 Sep 166#15
agreed - I tried it, but couldn't be bothered as I was mostly getting junk. Yet people still leaving 5 stars. Its something Amazon need to stop.
Not according to the ultimate source of truth and light (Wikipedia):
"For actual sunlight, where only 45% of the light is in the photosynthetically active wavelength range, the theoretical maximum efficiency of solar energy conversion is approximately 11%. In actuality, however, plants do not absorb all incoming sunlight (due to reflection, respiration requirements of photosynthesis and the need for optimal solar radiation levels) and do not convert all harvested energy into biomass, which results in an overall photosynthetic efficiency of 3 to 6% of total solar radiation."
Been reviewing amazon items in return for discounts lately, got a 16w and a 52w portable panel now plus a static 100w for the caravan I have yet to install. The 16w was happily charging an iproduct when in full sunshine, dunno what it was but a large recent phone. They really have come on recently.
leeparsons to tek-monkey
23 Sep 161#9
How does that work then?
freakstyler
22 Sep 16#4
Really, for 12v batteries a 20w panel would be the absolute minimum I would recommend and that's just for maintaining a charged battery, not charging up a completely dead one.
A 20w Mono or Poly Crystalline panel with a cheap LCD charge controller would be better value and more effective than the briefcase.
flang
22 Sep 162#5
Na mate I have a 5w panel at the mo and it tops up the battery enough on our camping trips to last a good week. We run led lights and charge 2 phones over night so nothing to draining but 5w is enough to restore the lost voltage. Id agree though that if your powering invertors or fully draining the bsttery daily then 20w+ would def be needed!
ohdearohdear
22 Sep 164#6
Cold, no sun in the UK
dergal to ohdearohdear
22 Sep 161#7
There's enough.
leeparsons to ohdearohdear
23 Sep 161#10
he lives up north you see
Youngsyr to ohdearohdear
23 Sep 162#17
Funny how the grass and trees still grow, though - right?
wansheet to ohdearohdear
23 Sep 16#39
A new kickstarter project. A rain powered generator panel would be revolutionary concept.
leeparsons
23 Sep 16#8
But you can get three of the panels, for a little bit more. and be 2 watts more in power.
I actually already purchased some of these. I have just got another 4. Forgo to post, so you beat me to it.
leeparsons
23 Sep 161#11
Anyway you can daisy change them together, with a power splutter. Thus combine the power
3guesses to leeparsons
23 Sep 16#27
That sounds interesting - can you provide a few more details?
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Opening post
Showing as Free Delivery for me.
Info From Ebuyer:
We've all been there (or at least some of us have). On top of a mountain, deep in the woods or by a spectacular waterfall. We want to take a selfie or ring our friends to boast about our achievements, only to find our phone is dead. Crisis! What do we do? We need to capture the moment.
Relax. It's not a problem, at least it isn't if you have one of these handy Xenta solar chargers strapped to your backpack. Just plug your phone, or other compatible device, into the USB port attached to the back of the panel and use the sun to recharge your battery. Simples.
Using the Backpack solar panel
It's pretty easy. Set the panel up to catch some rays when you stop on your hike, hang it on a tent pole or attach it to your backpack. Once the solar panel captures the sun it will turn the rays into energy that you can harness by plugging your device into the panels USB port (cable not included). Under ideal conditions the panel can provide around one Amp of power.
At 19.6 x 29.3cm the panel is slightly smaller than an A4 sheet of paper, very light and easy to carry around. There is a hanging loop for added convenience.
Technically speaking
The Xenta solar panel is a 5 watt mono crystalline panel with a USB output port producing 5V/1A.
Features
USB port
Lightweight design
Mesh cover with zip to rear
Secure straps to hold phone
Works with any USB enabled device
Top comments
Getting difficult to find real unbiased reviews.
These 'paid for' reviews are mostly positive and generally don't offer anything of substance.
I ignore them and won't buy a product unless there is a good number of genuine reviews.
I hope Amazon take action on this.
http://www.ebuyer.com/675942-xenta-13w-briefcase-solar-charger-e13wby
you tube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnFQcSpEqzs
"For actual sunlight, where only 45% of the light is in the photosynthetically active wavelength range, the theoretical maximum efficiency of solar energy conversion is approximately 11%. In actuality, however, plants do not absorb all incoming sunlight (due to reflection, respiration requirements of photosynthesis and the need for optimal solar radiation levels) and do not convert all harvested energy into biomass, which results in an overall photosynthetic efficiency of 3 to 6% of total solar radiation."
All comments (53)
http://www.ebuyer.com/675942-xenta-13w-briefcase-solar-charger-e13wby
you tube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnFQcSpEqzs
A 20w Mono or Poly Crystalline panel with a cheap LCD charge controller would be better value and more effective than the briefcase.
I actually already purchased some of these. I have just got another 4. Forgo to post, so you beat me to it.