You’ll be glad to learn that a number of solar-powered objects have alternative power sources, including standard electricity through the grid.
Some Solar-Powered Appliances and Electronics Can Be Charged with Standard Electricity
Many of the best solar-powered products I’ve recommended in the past have options for charging by directly being plugged into a wall socket, DC charger in the car, or other “standard” means of charging.
The reason I recommend these products when I’m all about off-the-grid living?
Mainly because there are times when you simply need to start out with a full charge right away.
This is generally for when you may find yourself in unusual circumstances or emergency situations – think hiking, camping, backpacking, lengthy travel through remote areas, and other outdoor activities where you won’t be near to standard electric and communication options.
Plus, if you’re loading up a bug out bag or something for emergencies, solar is a great idea…but you want everything to be fully charged so it’s ready to be used ASAP.
Many of these products have USB charging options or use standard electrical outlet style plugs for charging up ahead of time. I prefer those with USB charging options as these give the most versatility for any situation.
Charging Solar-Powered Items Through Windows
Technically, charging your solar panel through a window qualifies as with-sun charging, but it is indoor charging and therefore indirect sunlight charging…which is why I’ve included it here.
And, yes, you can charge solar panels through windows.
I’ve used many small solar-powered electronics and appliances over the years and often charged them through my windows.
Place the solar cell portion of the object directly in the window sill for the fastest, most effective charging.
FAQs About Solar Charging Without the Sun
Can artificial light power a solar panel?
The short answer is yes, artificial light can power a solar panel.
Depending on the wattage, the number of bulbs, and distance the solar panel is from the light source will determine how strong a charge the solar panel receives, and how much wattage the solar panel will then be able to produce for powering other objects.
Can LED lights power solar panels?
Yes, you can charge solar panels with LED lights.
However, the light waves are not as similar to sunlight waves as incandescent bulbs produce.
This means that it will take longer to charge and you will need more LED lights to charge the solar panel than you would with incandescent bulbs.
Shoot for wattage closer to 100 than 40 for LED light charging of solar panels.
Can solar lights be charged indoors?
Absolutely.
If you read in-depth in the sections above, you will see the various ways that you can charge your solar-powered objects indoors via artificial light, standard electricity sources, and through windows.
Do solar lights need direct sunlight?
No, solar lights do not need direct sunlight to charge. They do require light in some form to power them on, however.
This may be produced through indirect sunlight – think cloudy days – or via artificial light sources like incandescent bulbs or LED lamps.
Can you charge solar objects through a tinted window?
If you have tinted windows on your car or home, you can still charge solar-powered objects. The tint on the windows only blocks a portion of the light and energy that comes through the glass as it strikes the surface.
Some forms of tint vary the amount of light getting through, however.
Limousines with privacy tint, for example, will block significantly more of the light from getting in to the solar cells that draw in the power.
This happens because the tint is darker, yes, but also because the tint is designed specifically to reflect back the light, which allows the folks riding inside to see but prevents those on the outside from seeing in.
Do solar panels need direct sunlight to work?
Solar panels use the energy from daylight, not necessarily direct sunlight, to produce the energy that they then convert into useable electricity.
That means that, just like on a cloudy day at the beach when you get a worse sunburn, daylight is the source of solar energy.
The photons in natural daylight are what are converted, not the heat, which is generally what we associate with sunlight versus daylight.
This means that while, yes, direct sunlight will produce a stronger charge for a solar-powered device, direct sunlight is not absolutely necessary for power to be created. Solar panels are about 40% as effective on cloudy days as sunny days. The more sunlight, the more electricity is created.
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