A camping awning mountable to a vehicle at or above head-height comprises a core having a cylinder extending between a pair of spaced ends of the core, an awning sheet adapted to be returned onto the core in a storage state, the awning sheet also adapted to be paid out to present an upper surface of the awning sheet, in an extended state, and a flexible solar charging device attached to or forming part of the upper surface. The solar charging device is adapted to bend with the awning sheet as it is returned onto the core, such that the awning sheet including the solar charging device is adapted to be fully returned onto the core, and covers by area at least 20% of the upper surface when the awning sheet is fully paid out.

At least first and second solar panels are provided, wherein: each of the first and second solar panels is comprised of a substrate having one or more solar cells bonded thereto, and a frame for supporting the substrate and the solar cells; the frame has a cutout or opening in a center of the frame under the solar cells and, when deployed, the cutout or opening enables cooling of the solar cells through the substrate by exposing a back side of the substrate for transferring or radiating heat directly through the cutout or opening of the frame; and the frame of the first solar panel is configured to be nested inside the cutout or opening of the frame of the second solar panel when the first and second solar panels are stowed in a stacked configuration.

At least one solar cell is mounted to a flexible substrate using an adhesive, wherein: the flexible substrate includes at least one insulating layer and at least one conductive layer patterned on the insulating layer as one or more traces for making electrical connections with the solar cell; the traces on the flexible substrate are unencapsulated and at least some of the traces remain exposed after the solar cell is mounted to the flexible substrate; the solar cell is positioned above the traces on the flexible substrate; and a backside metal layer of the solar cell does not make contact to the traces on the flexible substrate when the solar cell is mounted on the flexible substrate. The result is a rollable solar array or panel having a reduced stress energy and a reduced minimum rolling radius as compared to a baseline solar cell mounted to a baseline flexible substrate.

Systems, methods, and articles for a portable power case are disclosed. The portable power case is comprised of at least one battery and at least one PCB. The portable power case has at least two access ports and at least one USB port. The portable power case is operable to supply power to an amplifier, a radio, a wearable battery, a mobile phone, and a tablet. The portable power case is operable to be charged using solar panels, vehicle batteries, AC adapters, non-rechargeable batteries, and generators. The portable power case provides for modularity that allows the user to disassemble and selectively remove the batteries installed within the portable power case housing.

Systems, methods, and articles for a portable power case are disclosed. The portable power case is comprised of at least one battery and at least one PCB. The portable power case has at least two access ports and at least one USB port. The portable power case is operable to supply power to an amplifier, a radio, a wearable battery, a mobile phone, and a tablet. The portable power case is operable to be charged using solar panels, vehicle batteries, AC adapters, non-rechargeable batteries, and generators. The portable power case provides for modularity that allows the user to disassemble and selectively remove the batteries installed within the portable power case housing.

A power pack and related components are provided for powering night vision devices and other electronic devices using solar panels. In one embodiment, a solar powered power pack with a rechargeable battery is mountable on a helmet or is otherwise attachable to wearable or portable gear.

A stowable generator device including a housing defining at least one storage chamber having an opening. A closure element is configured to selectively cover and uncover the opening. Support structure is disposed within the storage chamber in a collapsed position and is selectively extendable through the opening into an expanded position when the closure element is moved away from the opening. At least one energy generating unit is connected to the support structure. The support structure and the generating unit are configured to reversibly stow inside the housing in the collapsed position.

A stowable generator device including a housing defining at least one storage chamber having an opening. A closure element is configured to selectively cover and uncover the opening. Support structure is disposed within the storage chamber in a collapsed position and is selectively extendable through the opening into an expanded position when the closure element is moved away from the opening. At least one energy generating unit is connected to the support structure. The support structure and the generating unit are configured to reversibly stow inside the housing in the collapsed position.

An article for providing shade includes a sunshade and a slip-on mounting base. The sunshade includes a shield, a set of ribs connected to the shield, and a plurality of support arms connected to the shield. The slip-on mounting base includes a body that defines a cavity and an opening. The body is configured to slip on the back portion of an item of outdoor furniture into the cavity through the opening. The body is stretchable and is configured to stretch to receive the back portion of different items of outdoor furniture with different sizes. The slip-on mounting base includes a plurality of receptacles attached to the body. Each receptacle includes an opening to receive a support arm of the sunshade. Each receptacle holds the corresponding support arm such that the shield, when unfolded, covers at least a portion of the back portion of the item of outdoor furniture.

An article for providing shade includes a sunshade and a slip-on mounting base. The sunshade includes a shield, a set of ribs connected to the shield, and a plurality of support arms connected to the shield. The slip-on mounting base includes a body that defines a cavity and an opening. The body is configured to slip on the back portion of an item of outdoor furniture into the cavity through the opening. The body is stretchable and is configured to stretch to receive the back portion of different items of outdoor furniture with different sizes. The slip-on mounting base includes a plurality of receptacles attached to the body. Each receptacle includes an opening to receive a support arm of the sunshade. Each receptacle holds the corresponding support arm such that the shield, when unfolded, covers at least a portion of the back portion of the item of outdoor furniture.