PV Gap

Shelly Said:

Solar chargers - would a small one power a laptop?

We Answered:

I use a small solar panel to send this e-mail from Botswana. It powers a laptop , the sat-internet and 5 or so energy saving bulbs 5-6 hours per day. I costs around 150 US. I think its big compared to what you are taking about (50w). Its still cheap
Its made by Shell and BP the small ones, tailor made for consumers in the west might be more expensive.
The catch is it provides 12v which I first need to store in a 12V battery, then invert to 220v using an inverter about the size of a laptop powersuply. From this 220 supply I can now use any charger I like, phone , I pod,light bulbs and laptop.
The standard little ones provides a voltage eg 7.4 V that is tailor made for that device eg Nokia phone. Some might even cater for many different ones.
Mine total cost around 250 USD . But you can't put it in your handbag.
It suits my lifestyle, I live and work in isolated places, if the sun don't shine I fall back on the car battery. Its also not that green because of the 12V lead/acid battery. But then all batteries are not green. The lead can be recycled.
The solar panel needs to be baby sitted , moved around to stay in the sun. Might work for me but not for you.

Kristin Said:

what do I need to create Solar power to run Laptop, 5.1 sub-woofer and two Compact Fluorescent bulbs?

We Answered:

Well id say get a better solar panel to start.
Get something like a 50watt minimum theat should be allright and get 3 or 4 batterys.

youd be suprised how quick you can use the power.
Just add a inverter to the battery. for what your running id suggest 1000watt roughly youd have to look at how many watts each item uses then add them together and if it's more than 1000watts go higher.

but youd be better off probebly asking someone from a proper solar power store.

hope this helps