With summer season approaching, have you ever thought of relying on renewable energy to charge your MacBook? In this article, we will explore whether it is possible to run your MacBook on solar power in the UK. We tested a solar charging kit to determine its efficacy for charging devices, such as laptops or phones, using the sun‘s rays.
The Solar Charging Kit You Need
Before you delve into solar charging, it’s important to note that you cannot simply plug your devices directly into the solar panels. This may result in an over-voltage, risking damage to your device‘s batteries or circuits. A solar cell generally charges a battery, which is then used to charge your device or laptop.
The standout name in solar charging is Voltaic, which offers a range of products. We tested the Voltaic Arc 20W Solar Charger Kit, which costs around £289.99 from FunkyLeisure or £295 from CyberEnergy here in the UK. The kit comes equipped with the company‘s highest output solar panel and the V72 battery, which has a capacity of 72 watt hours – the largest capacity battery that Voltaic offers.
The solar panel features 20W of monocrystalline power, divided into four interconnected sheets. When not in use, the panels fold down to the size and weight of an older iPad model or an A4 book. The kit also comes with a wall charger for the battery and a car cigarette lighter cable for charging on-the-go. It also provides a cigarette-lighter-sized outlet