Solar Powered Arduino: Can Solar Generator Power An Arduino

Many tinkerers, hobbyists, and makers use Arduino to design and build devices. It's an open-source platform used for creating electronic projects. The multi-controller board supports multiple power options. However, charging the Arduino becomes a significant concern during remote projects. That's where a solar-powered Arduino comes into the picture.

A solar Arduino is what it sounds like – an Arduino that runs on solar energy. You can use solar power to keep your Arduino running without relying on traditional sources.

The exact number of watts used to run Arduino depends on the specific model and what it's being used for. Being a low-power-consuming device, it consumes around 0.3-0.4 watts. Jackery Solar Generator 300 can be a reliable and portable solution to charge these low-power-consuming devices for hours.

In this guide, we will reveal what a solar-powered Arduino is, its types, and how to power it using a solar generator.

What Is A Solar Powered Arduino?

An Arduino consists of a physical programmable circuit board and a piece of software. The electrical device is used by designers, artists, newbies, and others interested in creating interactive objects or environments.

The solar-powered Arduino is used in data monitoring, remote sensing, and data logging projects. The solar panels absorb the sunlight, and the charge controller in the power station converts the solar to a stable regulated voltage to power the Arduino battery.

The Types Of Solar-Powered Arduino

There are four main types of solar-powered Arduino. Let us discuss them briefly.

Arduino Nano

It is a small and compact board with approximately 22 digital input/output pins, out of which there are 14 digital pins and 8 analog pins. Therefore, Arduino Nano is suitable for projects where space is limited.

Arduino Pro Mini

The Pro Mini version is the stripped-down version of the Uno board with a reset button, 14 digital input or output pins (of which 6 are used as PWM outputs), an onboard resonator, 6 analog inputs, and holes for mounting pin headers. Projects that require a small form factor can use Arduino Pro Mini.

Arduino Uno

The Uno is one of the best choices for starters. It features 14 digital input or output pins (of which 6 are used as PWM outputs), an ICSP header, 6 analog inputs, a USB connection, a power jack, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator, and a reset button. In addition, it contains components to support microcontrollers. You can power it with an AC-to-DC adapter or connect it to a computer with a USB cable to get started.

Arduino Mega

Unlike Arduino Uno, it has around 54 digital input/output pins, a USB connection, analog inputs, a reset button, and a power jack. This type of Arduino is suitable for projects that require a bunch of digital inputs and outputs.

Solar Powered Arduino Vs. Solar Generator For Arduino

Solar-powered Arduino and solar generators for Arduino are the two popular charging options for Arduino. While solar-powered Arduino is compact and helpful for small projects, solar generators are known to charge multiple other devices and Arduino.

A solar generator is a powerful power solution suitable for outdoor events, camping trips, or anytime you need power on the go. Let us briefly compare the solar power Arduino with the solar generator for Arduino.

Solar Powered Arduino

There are three methods to power a solar Arduino.

DFRobot Solar Power Manager 5V

Those looking to choose an affordable method to power their Arduino can opt for DFRobot solar power manager 5V. It works with a 3.7V lithium-ion battery and does not require any components. You can connect the solar panels with the Arduino to transfer solar energy and power the device.

Solar Charge Controller With USB Port

The solar charge controller connects the solar panels and the Arduino battery. The best part about the method is that it regulates the voltage of the solar panel and current to prevent overcharging and safely charge the battery. The downside of the technique is that it's costlier than other solutions.

Solar Charge Controller With 12V to 5V Converter

The third method allows you to power the Arduino without a USB port. It is a simple solution to charge an Arduino compared to other methods. You only need a screwdriver to connect the solar charge controller to the electrical device.

Solar Generator For Arduino

Unlike solar-powered Arduino, a solar generator can help you charge an Arduino (and other devices) for long hours. It combines solar panels and an electric battery storage system to provide stable power to all electrical appliances.

Jackery Solar Generators are a reliable green energy solution for powering Arduino or home/outdoor appliances during off-the-grid living, RVing, and home backup. Plug and play button of the solar generator makes it easy to use.

The powerful generator collects, converts, stores, and powers appliances without any installation. All the Jackery Solar Generators come with a pass-through charging feature, meaning you can charge the device while keeping it plugged into the solar panels.

How Many Watts Does An Arduino Use?

Before understanding how many watts a solar power Arduino uses, let us learn what is watt-hour (Wh), milliwatt (mW), and voltage. A watt-hour is the unit of energy represented when an appliance consumes one watt of power in one hour. It is used to measure the energy consumption of larger devices like refrigerators, coolers, AC, etc.

For smaller batteries, a milliwatt-hour is used. One milliwatt-hour is equal to 0.001 watts. As a solar power Arduino consumes less energy, it is generally measured in milliwatt hours. The voltage consumed by Arduino is around 5V, depending on its size, capacity, and type.

An Arduino typically consumes around 286mW and 1282mW of power. When Arduino powers display and uses wireless communication like Bluetooth or WiFi, it draws higher power. In sleep mode, the Arduino consumes as low as 230mW.

How Much Solar Power Does An Arduino Need?

The power consumption of an Arduino depends on the type and the purpose for which you are using it. Below we have curated a list of power consumed by Arduino based on different parameters.

Jackery Solar Generator For Arduino

Arduino needs a constant and steady power supply to function appropriately. A solar generator combines highly-efficient solar panels and a large-capacity battery to charge devices like Arduino.

Jackery Solar Generators are a reliable power source for home or outdoor devices. The solar generators are portable, noise-free, and efficient to meet the power needs of Arduino. The best part about Jackery Solar Generators for Arduino is that you don't have to install or maintain them.

Instead, you can plug the electrical device into the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station to charge and run your device for long hours. Below we have listed different sizes of solar generators that you can choose for Arduino.

Solar Powered Arduino FAQs

Now that you know the power consumption and other details about solar-powered Arduino, here are a few frequently asked questions.

What size of solar generator do I need to power an Arduino?

In short, the right size of solar generator for Arduino will depend on various factors, like the size, style, type, and power needs. Here is how to calculate the size of the solar generator required for an Arduino.

Suppose you want to charge an Arduino that consumes 0.4 watts of power using Jackery Solar Generator 300.

Working time = Capacity Wh * 0.85 / operating wattage of your device = 293 Wh * 0.85 / 0.4 W = 622 Hours.

Note: This is a rough calculation to help you determine the product's power consumption and working hours. If you are still unsure which Jackery model will suit the power needs of your Arduino, feel free to consult Jackery experts.

Can I connect the solar cells directly to the Arduino?

Connecting the solar cells directly to Arduino is not a great idea for several reasons. Solar cells depend on sunlight to produce power, so they may not provide a steady power stream. That's why the electrical device might not be able to work efficiently. The best way to charge an Arduino or any other appliance is by using a solar generator.

How to reduce Arduino power consumption?

Some of the best ways to reduce power consumption are using a small microcontroller, reducing clock speed, using the Arduino low power mode, and reducing the operation voltage.

Final Thoughts

If you want to harness solar energy to charge home or outdoor devices during camping trips, consider investing in solar generators. Besides powering your Arduino, it can help you power other appliances like refrigerators, coolers, electrical grills, electric blankets, or anything you name it.

Solar generators are more powerful and feature multiple output ports; hence, they are preferred more than solar-powered Arduino. Jackery Solar Generator 240, Jackery Solar Generator 300, and Jackery Solar Generator 500 are the most efficient power solutions for low-power-consuming devices like Arduino.

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