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solar panels

Posted by macbirch ACT Aust (My Page) on
Fri, Mar 2, 07 at 5:10

I just found a website selling folding solar panels that can be used to recharge cell phones and such. Would these work okay in a sunny window as I wouldn't want to be leaving the items I'm recharging outside. Would they be outgassing anything when they heat up which would make it undesirable for them to be inside? (Should I install a doggy door!)


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: solar panels

g'day macbirch,

what do the instructions say?

for solar collectors to work they need the direct action of the sun on them in most applications, so sun coming through a window may not be good enough?

sounds like the type of thing that could be used when you are somewhere say on a boat or not near 240v system to be able to charge phones etc.,.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: len's garden page


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RE: solar panels

Well, I downloaded the fine print. The panel should be in direct sunlight. Its performance is dependent on orientation, temperature, season, cloud and shadowing. There is a warning that the item to be recharged may need to be kept out of the sun. We have plenty of north-facing windows. I'd love to be able to start taking more advantage of that. Is a one year limited warranty reasonable I wonder. Of course there are plenty of things one buys with a one year warranty but an expectation that it will last longer. This sort of thing is quite new and I don't know what to expect. I don't want something gimmicky that took more to produce than I'll save by using it. The website invites you to ring if you have questions so I think I'll do that. Wish somebody local was selling this sort of thing so I could have a look at it.


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RE: solar panels

I found another one that goes in the window, stores the charge until you need it and the manufacturer claims to be carbon neutral. Expensive, but I want one! So then DS worries that it might void the warranty on the mobile phone. More research.


 
 

 

 


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