Brunton SolarRoll 14 Can Power Laptops

The first thing people always ask when they see portable solar rigs is "Can that thing charge a laptop?" In general that answer is no. The panels usually aren't big enough. But there is another option, according to Brunton, whose largest "SolarRoll," the model 14, can output a maximum of 14 watts. It could just be enough to do the trick.

Of course, you'll have to roll out the one-foot wide flexible panel out to its full length—almost five feet. But that's better than not being able to charge a laptop at all.

The largest SolarRoll is $480, but less capacious models are available for less money.

Product Page [Brunton.com via Oh Gizmo via Inhabitat]

[#1 posted by Adam Keck , November 21, 2007 9:24 PM]

The smaller ones are probably enough to charge an XO-1 (laptopgiving.org), though. ;)

-Adam

[#2 posted by Michael Slavitch , November 22, 2007 5:59 AM]

There is "charge" and there is "power".

"Power" != "Charge."

A small 12v trickle charge PV will charge a notebook over time, it will not power it while running.

I used a low-cost fold-out PV from Canadian Tire, of all places, at a remote cottage last year. It would trickle charge both a Dell notebook and a Windows Mobile handheld during the bright summer days, enough to play a DVD for the kids at night and check up on emails and voice messages before dinner. 10 hours of charging time left lots of hours for the Big Blue Room.