Product Description

Brunton Foldable Solar Panel is highly efficient flexible CIGS thin film solar technology. Durable individual CIGS cells work independently of each other. Uses 12V output to charge/maintain devices such as cameras, laptops and DVD players. Link up to 3 Solaris 52 units together for even better performance. Durable waterproof technology. Contact us for Customer Service, Technical and any other question at 1-800-443-4871 (or) support@brunton.com

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42739 in Sports & Outdoors
• Color: Black/Silver
• Brand: Brunton
• Model: 81-300706
• Dimensions: 5.00 pounds

Features

• Flexible thin film solar provides all weather power even in low-light conditions
• 12 Volt output charges many of your electronic devices, including laptops, satellite phones and more
• Reverse flow protection prevents discharging the devise you are using
• Durable/waterproof construction allows one to mount or pack a resourceful supply of power for a number of devices
• Compact and lightweight at 3 pounds, 6 ounces

Amazon.com Product Description
Using solar energy to recharge or revitalize your electronic equipment is a great way to go, especially since you're going to be outside anyway. Brunton's Solaris 52 foldable solar panel features high efficiency S (Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide) solar cell arrays--the most efficient thin film solar technology available. This model can produce up to 52 watts of voltage regulated solar power, and its 12V output can charge devices such as cameras, laptops and DVD players.

Features and Specifications:

• Multi-section folding panels for ease of storage and use
• Link up to three units together for more output
• Charge vehicle batteries with battery clamp cable
• Works in all types of weather, even in low light conditions
• Built-in blocking diode prevents reverse battery discharge
• Dimensions: 54 x 32 inches
• Weight: 3 pounds, 6 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

Customer Reviews

Brunton Solar, Best of the Best on the Go
I'm a bit of a technophile, and gadgets like thin film solar panels really raise my eyebrows. Aside from the WOW factor, there is the practical application of the device.

I'm in the Army, and two things are important to me. Portable power and ease of transport. I have owned Brunton Solar products before, namely the Solaris 25,and it did a terrific job providing me power but at the cost of size and limited use for high power consuming devices. The Brunton Solaris 52 was the answer.

Other solar products tell you that they can charge portable devices....but how many of them can actually RUN them. The answer is a resounding zip....zero....nada. The Solaris 52 can power your device, and provide a trickle charge to other applications. It is voltage regulated once devices are connected, so while the panels can produce upwards of 28 volts....it is paired down to 12 volts for your devices.

The Solaris 52 is about the size of a regular textbook. The folding cover has a Velcro closed pocket for the three types of cables provided with the device, and even with those cables in the front pocket the device presents a minimal profile in your pack. The panels are applied to a thin type of waterproof canvas. It's a sturdy material which retains the folding pattern of the panels so set up an tear down are a snap.

I tested this unit late on an overcast day. I live in Kansas, so I am not in one of the peak sun belts, and I tested this unit during one of the coldest months in this region. The panel was completely unfolded, I connected it to my Solo 15, and even with a considerable amount of cloud cover the device kicked out the promised 12 volts of DC. I watched the charged device closely to see how much tinkering I would have to do to get maximum output from the panels....the answer...NONE! I was amazed by just how simple, elegant and effective this device truly turned out to be.

I continued to run tests with my voltmeter and found that on top of the steady 12 volts I was able to use the available second power adaptor port to charge my cellphone at the same time. This additional flow was no where near what was being drawn by my Solo 15, but it was still more than enough to charge my phone very quickly.

What Brunton has produced here is an efficient, lightweight and extremely capable portable power plant that will require no maintenance from the user due to the self-healing qualities of the newly developed CIGS cells. All the device needs is a little cleaning with a cloth every now and then to remove dirt or debris...that's it!

The price is a little halting for most. I Realize that, but rest assured you are paying for quality and the assurance that you will have electricity anywhere you need it as long as the sun is in the sky. That kind of reassurance is truly worth he price. As the CIGS technology becomes more mainstream, which it will, expect prices to drop. Or just be a savvy consumer....I picked my Solaris 52 up here on Amazon for around $680. A steal in my opinion.

Lightweight & Worth the Hefty Cost!
Imagine being able to take electricity anywhere you go so long as you have sunlight. This device might seem a bit costly, but you definitely get what you pay for. It will power most laptops, most high-powered electronic devices, and most battery chargers. You can even use it to charge your car or boat's battery. Just plug any 12v device into it or hook up its jumper cables. What you'll need to use it as something similar to a standard household outlet is another device called the Solo 15, which is is a lithium battery pack that comes with an included AC/DC inverter. All together all of this equipment should weigh less than 10 pounds.

To figure out whether this device will be enough to run your laptop with a positive net charge, calculate the wattage of your laptop. My laptop is an old Dell Inspiron 1100, which runs off 20 volts & 4.5 Amps. So, the formula to calculate wattage (Volts x Amps = Watts) tells me that my laptop requires 90 watts. That means that I won't get enough energy out of this to keep my laptop running all day. In order to do that, I'd need two sets of solar panels to connect together. However, since I'm still getting a charge, I can use this to slow the discharging of my laptop battery and extend my overall playtime. However, once powered off, this would be enough to charge it. Newer laptops are more energy efficient, so this may be just enough or more than enough power for you.

You'd be surprised what you can accomplish with this. I've read online about a woman who lives off the grid and powers her fridge with this.

All in all, this is the top-of-the-line when it comes to foldable solar array panels meant for personal travel purposes. A steal at this price.