this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2026
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I'm only half kidding. I'm a bit of a prepper and I have lots of powerbanks and devices that charge from USB but besides idling my truck I really had no other way to charge any of them in case of a long-term power outage which seemed a bit of an oversight on my part.

Not like this solves the issue. 30 watts (under ideal conditions) isn't much but it's a start.

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[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

I'm gonna give this warning: I have a panel of that type but much larger. It's rated at ~200 watts. I've never seen it make more than 80. I don't think it's a great idea to make large, flexible solar panels, I bet something internal is cracked in it. It's...virtually impossible to handle gently. It has kick stands on 3 of its 4 panels and you CANNOT stop that one inner panel from twisting. So...I am going to avoid that style of panel if it's larger than, say, a book. OP's 30 watt panel is probably fine but if you're dealing in the hundreds of watts honestly my glass panels are easier to deal with.

[–] Iconoclast@feddit.uk 1 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

I don't think this is able to reach the full 30 watts either. Probably closer to 20 under ideal conditions.

The panels themselves aren't flexible - just the "hinges" between them. I don't think the portability makes much sense with larger panels than this. Better just go with a proper setup at that point.

Yeah I have 100 watt panels that make 70 or 80 most of the time; those ratings are for "ideal conditions" which I take to mean "perfectly aligned, in space."

As to the rigidity: It is a little flexible, compared to glass and aluminum. I bet it's perfectly serviceable at smaller sizes, but when it's 7 feet (2.13 Celsius) long:

the damn thing sags under its own weight. They shouldn't be made this big. Those glass panels together have the same rating and they actually work worth a damn.

[–] UnrepententProcrastinator@lemmy.ca 31 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

All i need is a gun to kill the local prepper and I'm set.

[–] Iconoclast@feddit.uk 13 points 6 hours ago

A looter - finally!

  • That local prepper, probably
[–] Squirrelanna@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 6 hours ago

Be sure to check your local raid boss's tier now before the content releases. A lot of them you'll be able to solo with the right load out, but if you're unlucky you'll need to start putting together your party roster now because they aren't all made to be soloed.

[–] adhdsergio@lemmy.world 8 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Nuclear war is followed by nuclear winter, which, among other things is caused by thick clouds, sorry!

We're not going to nuke each other. Everyone is gonna die of dysentery from Texas' lettuce-borne ass plague.

[–] Iusedtobeanalien@lemmy.world 2 points 4 hours ago

maybe consider upgrading to a full size wind turbine for the breezy autumn

[–] PointyFluff@lemmy.ml -1 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

An ENTIRE 30w?

Oh wow, you must be an engineer to need soooooo much power.

That will checks notes barely charge a phone.

[–] Iconoclast@feddit.uk 7 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago)

You just here to throw mud or was there a point to this comment?

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