Portable solar systems

Abstract

In an embodiment, a portable solar system includes a solar panel assembly and a case. The solar panel assembly includes a frame at least partially surrounding the solar panel assembly. The case includes a case front and a case back. The case back is movably attached to the case front at a first hinge. The frame of the solar panel assembly is attached to the case back on an interior side of the case. The case back includes a storage pocket that is accessible from an exterior side of the case.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable solar system comprising:
 a solar panel assembly comprising a frame at least partially surrounding the solar panel assembly; and   a case comprising:
 a case front; and 
 a case back movably attached to the case front at a first hinge, the frame of the solar panel assembly attached to the case back on an interior side of the case, the case back comprising a storage pocket that is accessible from an exterior side of the case. 
   
     
     
         2 . The portable solar system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the case front comprises one or more angle seats on an interior side thereof; and   a bottom of the solar panel assembly rests on the one or more angle seats so as to be positioned at an angle.   
     
     
         3 . The portable solar system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the case front comprises an arrangement of angle seats on an interior side thereof; and   the arrangement of angle seats enable the solar panel assembly to be variably positioned at a plurality of angles.   
     
     
         4 . The portable solar system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of angles are selected from the group consisting of: approximately 30 degrees, approximately 45 degrees, and approximately 60 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The portable solar system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the case back comprises:
 a first back section, wherein the frame of the solar panel assembly is attached to the first back section on the interior side of the case; and 
 a second back section movably attached to the first back section at a second hinge and movably attached to the case front at the first hinge, the second back section comprising the storage pocket; 
   the case front comprises one or more angle seats on an interior side thereof; and   the case back folds relative to the second hinge such that a bottom of the solar panel assembly rests on the one or more angle seats so as to be positioned at an angle.   
     
     
         6 . The portable solar system of  claim 5 , wherein the storage pocket fits into negative space on a backside of the solar panel assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The portable solar system of  claim 5 , comprising a solar charge controller disposed in the storage pocket and connected to the solar panel assembly via a cord passing through a port on the second back section. 
     
     
         8 . The portable solar system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the second back section comprises a pocket door that configurably encloses or exposes the storage pocket, and   the pocket door comprises a window such that, when the case is closed, the window aligns with and provides visibility to the solar charge controller.   
     
     
         9 . The portable solar system of  claim 8 , wherein the window comprises a transparent protective cover. 
     
     
         10 . The portable solar system of  claim 7 , wherein the solar charge controller comprises one or more magnets affixed to a bottom thereof and is magnetically mounted inside the storage pocket via the one or more magnets. 
     
     
         11 . The portable solar system of  claim 7 , wherein the storage pocket comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of:
 a battery cord that connects the solar charge controller to a battery;   an ATP interconnect usable with the solar charge controller; and   an ATP to battery clamps assembly.   
     
     
         12 . The portable solar system of  claim 5 , wherein the frame of the solar panel assembly is attached to the first back section via a plurality of fasteners that are received into a plurality of apertures in the first back section. 
     
     
         13 . The portable solar system of  claim 1 , comprising a first handle disposed at a top of the case front and a second handle disposed at a top of the case back, wherein the first handle and the second handle magnetically attract each other so as to symmetrically clasp together when the case is closed. 
     
     
         14 . A case attachment assembly for a solar panel, the case attachment assembly comprising:
 a frame member, the frame member having a channel formed therein;   a T-nut that is received into and slidably disposed within the channel; and   a case coupled to the T-nut.   
     
     
         15 . The case attachment assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the case is coupled to the T-nut via a fastener. 
     
     
         16 . The case attachment assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the frame member comprises a notch defined, at least in part, by the channel and an arcuate member. 
     
     
         17 . The case attachment assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the notch receives a solar assembly that comprises a substrate, a solar array, and an optical layer. 
     
     
         18 . A case for a portable solar system, the case comprising:
 a case front; and   a case back movably attached to the case front at a first hinge and having a plurality of apertures therein, the case back configured to attach to a frame of a solar panel assembly via the plurality of apertures, the case back comprising a storage pocket that is accessible from an exterior side of the case.   
     
     
         19 . The case of  claim 18 , the case front comprising one or more angle seats on an interior side thereof, the one or more angle seats enabling a solar panel assembly to be positioned at an angle. 
     
     
         20 . The case of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the case back comprises:
 a first back section having the plurality of apertures; and 
 a second back section movably attached to the first back section at a second hinge and movably attached to the case front at the first hinge, the second back section comprising the storage pocket; and 
   the case front comprises one or more angle seats on an interior side thereof, the one or more angle seats enabling a solar panel assembly to be positioned at an angle when the case back is folded relative to the second hinge.