hp laptop power supply

Laptop Power Supplies

Solar Power for Notebook and Laptop Computers

Executive summary about Laptop Power Supplies by EM Beck

hp laptop power supply

The solar cells that you see on calculators and satellites are photovoltaic cells or modules. Photovoltaics, as the word implies (photo = light, voltaic = electricity), convert sunlight directly into electricity.

The energy knocks electrons loose, allowing them to flow freely. For example, the current can power a calculator. This current, together with the cell’s voltage (which is a result of its built-in electric field or fields), defines the power (or wattage) that the solar cell can produce.”

As energy costs and energy conservation continue to garner interest as mainstream issues, we should see the rapid development of solar integrated design features.

Hand Held Solar Kits

Solar kits combine solar cells, rechargeable batteries, and a wide selection of cables. These won’t power a portable laptop yet unless it’s a miser on energy, but they will keep you connected with a limitless power supply for your cell phones, Smart phones, PDAs, and smaller devices.

Portable Solar Power Docking Stations

The idea of using solar power in remote situations is nothing new. The question for us is how well, and how fast, a solar power station will power up your notebook or laptop.

There are very few winners in the category of a portable solar power docking station to efficiently run a laptop computer. One that does get good reviews on the subject is the “PowerDock System”.

PowerDock Systems are relatively expensive, and range in price form a few hundred dollars on up to $450. The PowerDock is an attractive product design an weighs in from 5 to 13.5 pounds.

Another potential winner is the Notepower Solar Laptop Charger from Sierra Solar Systems. The 3 lb. Notepower is not designed with a storage battery, but the 20-30 watts of power will charge and run most laptop computers, according to the specs.

You may not consider the Notepower as a true solar docking station, but it is an attractive portable solar package for a temporary power solution. Originally priced around $250.

Commercial and Military Grade Solar Power Systems

Some of the best remote solar power systems are designed to meet military standards. Energy Technologies, Inc. in Ohio, USA makes a wide assortment of military standard power equipment for field use.

Things like field deployable inverters, converters, UPS, engine-generators, along with solar power stations with the trade name Tactical Solar Products.

We have looked at several of the many possibilities for solar power, and going “green” with remote computing. Some of the solar power resource websites you might want to keep an eye on include: Altapower.com, RadioLabs.com, and CTSolar.com. As computing devices become smaller and more mobile, and with nascent technology soon to push the boundaries of wireless networks, solar power could prove to be a factor in your computing future.