this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2025
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No Stupid Questions

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Did my ability to search for things intelligently on the internet die when Google search did or are there legitimately no personal umbrellas with solar panels and a battery pack? Like I feel like that would be an obvious thing, and there's a bajillion beach umbrellas and patio umbrellas that have solar panels. How are there no personal versions for wandering around on a sunny day with portable shade that gets you a charged battery pack? Is this a thing and I just can't find it or does it not exist yet and all of science has failed me in every way possible?

Sorry for the terrible AI picture, I didn't create it I just found it on the internet and it was the only one I could find because these apparently don't actually exist.

(page 2) 35 comments
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Get/create a solar backpack with a powerbank instead. That way weight is less of a concern and you can charge it when the sun is actually out without looking like a weirdo πŸ˜…

[–] xep@fedia.io 6 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I have had the same idea. Photovoltaic cells are sadly all quite stiff and/or fragile ...

[–] astrsk@fedia.io 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The cells don’t have to flex to have a flexible sheet of them. Just attach them strategically to a material more suited for flexing.

[–] bizarroland@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

For real though, I mean, you could also just use a different layout. You don't have to use triangles and make a circle. You could have a square umbrella that folds out with a little bit of prodding.

[–] NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io 1 points 2 days ago

So far. A lot of progress is being made on that front.

[–] MicrowavedTea@infosec.pub 6 points 2 days ago (5 children)

Do you usually use an umbrella when it's sunny or would you do it just to charge the battery? I know it's a thing but only very rarely see people do that, probably not enough to have demand for something like this. Backpacks with solar panels exist but I think these are pretty hard to find too.

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

This idea is right up there with Glow in the dark sunglasses.

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[–] memfree@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago

Looks like this guy couldn't get financed to make something similar: https://www.homecrux.com/solarbrella-turns-beach-umbrella-charging-dock-phone/74666/

-- but my search did turn up alibaba results for similar stuff, so they probably just stole the idea from him.

Nitpick: You want a parasol or sunshade, not an umbrella. Umbrellas are for rain (latin origins aside). It is cloudy when it rains.

[–] Object@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

It would get stolen real quick too, unfortunately. Also probably very fragile or very heavy, and would only be useful for a very specific time of the year only (during very hot summer). No clue how much output that would make though, but I'm gonna guess it's not going to be anywhere near useful.

[–] morphballganon@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

Solar cells are crystalline and rigid. You wouldn't be able to fold the umbrella up and put it away. Also, as someone else pointed out, solar cells work best in sunlight... which you won't want an umbrella for.

why would you have a solar powered umbrella instead of a parasol? isn't the only difference one is used when no sun lol

also sound like a bad idea either way

[–] Alsjemenou@lemy.nl 3 points 2 days ago

Why not add a bluetooth speaker and some search lights, maybe a perfume dispenser and a toothpick holder. fucking genius.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Like I feel like that would be an obvious thing,

I would have NEVER thought of this...

How are there no personal versions for wandering around on a sunny day with portable shade that gets you a charged battery pack?

Oh my god! THATS what umbrella man was doing! Whew! Solved a huge conspiracy there!

.....wait, but that STILL proves he was a time traveler! Dammit!

[–] Fleur_@aussie.zone 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

What exactly is the benefit of having an umbrella mounted solar panel over regular solar panels

[–] nimpnin@sopuli.xyz 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Protects you from the sun while you walk. Umbrellas are used for that at least in Japan, as somebody already mentioned

[–] Fleur_@aussie.zone 2 points 1 day ago

Yeah but umbrellas already exist. Why would you want to carry around a solar umbrella with empty batteries to charge as opposed to a regular umbrella with already charged batteries

[–] solrize@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

There are foldable and flexible solar panels that go on a backpack. An umbrella would be kind of silly. What are you trying to do? How much power do you need?

Here is a 6.5 watt solar backpack though I robably wouldn't buy it. It shoud be able to charge a 40WH USB power bank in a day or so lying down facing the sun. You never get the full rated power from solar cells. It weighs about 3 lb per the mgfr page.

https://sidedeal.com/deals/outdoor-tech-mountaineer-solar-panel-backpack

I just have never felt a need for something like that. The power to weight ratio is too low compared to recharging batteries from a wall plug, unless you have to go for long periods (like weeks) without access to a wall plug AND you are able to park the solar panel in good sunlight all day. If you want to use it while walking around, power collected will be several times lower.

Solar is great for stationary installations or maybe on top of an RV, but portable is of very limited usefulness.

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[–] Brkdncr@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Ecoflow makes a hat with panels that charge a battery pack.

[–] oo1@lemmings.world 1 points 2 days ago

fragile.

You could put them on a fixed awning, but you generally don't want solar cells flopping around, being vibrated or moving at all if you can help it

[–] FelixCress@lemmy.world -4 points 2 days ago

I know this sub is called "nostupidquestions" but c'mon.

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