My goal is to find a cheap energy sources for touring.
I cannot use solar all the time so I am planning to get Reelights outlined here, for lights, because they are cheaper than installing a hub generator. But the next problem is my laptop because it needs much more energy and I don't have much solar radiation at my latitude. I included the description about solar panel installation because I may need to use it with other energy sources which I am not aware of, perhaps gas, oil or something like that but they are expensive. So to the question:
Which cheap energy sources would you use during touring with low amount of sun energy?
One possible implementation to store energy
The ten-watt solar panel (which weighs about a pound) lies on top of my panniers on the back of the bicycle (I carry my tent and sleeping bags in the front bags). As I ride, mostly in the sun, the panel produces current which runs through 12 5.7AH nicad cells, charging them during the day. After I stop for the night, I unplug the panel, and use the same plug to connect the battery to the computer via a Targus auto/air adapter.
This setup requires me to carry the computer, an AC charger and the Targus DC charger, the solar panel, nicad cells and connector cord, a multimeter, and various nylon and plastic bags plus the computer case, with a total weight of seven pounds or less. (source)
Suggestions, some of which may be a solution
- hub dynamo recommendations here for lighting
- solar panels for electronics projects
- moz suggests here to carry a solar panel but not diamond-framed
- Amon suggests here a particularly interesting home-brew stuff that may lead to some kind of solution but with USB.
- Darkcanuck outlines the situation with different choices here: sun, AA/etc charger and dynamo charger.
- solar-powered Laptop during touring, more here.