Making charging tools on the jobsite or a home workshop more portable or cost-effective can be a major game changer. As power tool battery systems become more efficient and compact, charging on the go has become much more practical. And with new, more compact solar cells on the market, solar tool charging has become much more affordable. To get started with a solar tool charging station, all you need is some basic information about the type of charger you have.

A solar tool charging station can be a simple DIY project using a portable solar panel and a power station to distribute power to your battery chargers. For the setup to work properly, it’s a good idea to make sure you have enough power to run at least two chargers at once. For most cordless tools, a power station set to run at 120V will suffice, but if you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to compare the label on the power station to the one on your battery charger to double-check. Check out this video to learn more about which types of solar panels work with which types of power stations.

If you have a larger job that requires two or more tools, you can also use a jobsite kit like the one from Klein Tools that can use both corded and cordless power tools. A power station that you can charge for free with sunlight and take with you anywhere there is sunlight is a great solution for camping, adventures, or for a home hobby shop. Because the system is foldable, you can pack your solar panel away if the weather gets bad, but still get the charge from the power station for as long as the charge lasts.

Some tool brands have already released their own integrated solar charging stations, like this one from Ryobi. These kits are designed to handle the type of battery that works with the brand of tool you have, but they also allow you to plug in devices like your cell phone, tablet, or other tools.