During the summer, fans become one of the top devices that users are interested in. In addition to basic cooling fans, in recent years, there has been another type of fan that is different and advertised as not requiring a direct power source, thus saving more electricity for households, and it is also very popular. This device is called a solar-powered fan.
Specifically, instead of using a two-way power source, these fan models will use a one-way motor, accompanied by a solar energy panel. When using, users only need to take this solar panel to an area with sunlight or sunlight, connect the panel to the fan via a wire, and the fan can work and produce cool wind.
The solar energy panel can also store electricity for households to use in case of power outages or during dark skies. The device’s battery capacity can range from 10,000 mAh to 30,000 mAh. The battery capacity will determine how long the fan can operate without needing to be recharged.
If you do not want to use solar energy panels, in some fan models, users can also use electricity from the grid through an AC to DC converter available inside the device.
Solar-powered fans have become a “craze” in the past year (Illustrative Image)
With the above convenience, a market survey shows that the price of a solar-powered fan is higher than that of a regular fan. Mini, desk fans are priced around 500,000 VND, larger fans, floor fans, are priced from 1,000,000 VND, with many different origins such as China, South Korea, or Vietnam.
Some users share that they buy solar-powered fans for various reasons. It could be to save some electricity, it could be to “tide over” in case of unexpected power outages, or it could also be to flexibly use this cooling device anytime, anywhere.
However, buying a quality solar-powered fan is not easy. Users are very likely to buy floating and low-quality products through attractive advertisements or promotions from sellers. Buying and using low-quality fans not only makes the device ineffective but also poses risks for users.
The following case is an example. Dinh Nguyen, a user living in Hanoi, shares that her family’s solar-powered fan unexpectedly exploded at around 7 p.m. At the time of the explosion, the fan was not turned on and did not suffer any impact. According to this user, the solar-powered fan was bought by her family from the beginning of June and had only been used 4-5 times.
A serious explosion of a solar-powered fan at a family’s home (Photo by Nguyễn Dinh)
The cause of the explosion of solar-powered fans
According to experts, the main reason for fan or solar-powered device explosions lies in the poor-quality battery component. Information from the Industrial and Consumer Magazine, from an expert in solar power, similar to solar-powered lights, the most important part of fan models is the solar energy panel that collects energy from sunlight.
When users buy cheap fans with an unclear origin or without specific warranty mechanisms, it is likely that the devices use low-quality panels with low power generation efficiency, coupled with rapidly decreasing usage efficiency over a short period of time. That’s why they quickly fail, leading to serious breakdowns, fires, or explosions.
Veteran technicians and repairers also added that cheap models may use unverified or low-quality batteries. This also slows down the fan’s rotation and makes it operate intermittently.
The solar energy panel is the most important part of a solar-powered device (Illustrative Image)
How to buy a quality solar-powered fan?
To answer the question “How to buy a quality solar-powered fan?” Dr. Nguyen Van Lanh, a lecturer at the University of Agriculture and Forestry in Ho Chi Minh City, advises that users should choose products from famous brands at reputable retail stores. Not only for fans but any device needs a sturdy structure and meticulous assembly.
Dr. Lanh also mentioned that the typical structure of a solar energy panel consists of an aluminum frame, tempered glass, top film layer, solar cell, bottom film layer, pad, and junction box. The panel’s efficiency depends on the solar cell, while its durability depends on all components. The solar cell is often misconstrued for thin-film models but is said to be multi-crystalline (poly) or monocrystalline (mono). Therefore, users need to be highly alert and thoroughly research information before making a purchase.
Experts from Kitawa Corporation (Ho Chi Minh City) also added that consumers should be aware that solar energy is clean, but solar batteries are not. Solar batteries also need to be ensured to be genuine, produced based on environmentally-safe standards.
Illustrative Image
After successfully purchasing a guaranteed device, during use, users should also note that they should only use the fan when necessary and should not abuse it to overload the device. Users should place the solar panel in the sunniest position during the day to provide the most effective wind; and ensure that the connection between the solar panel and the fan is secure during use.
According to Phụ Nữ Số
