Is there anything more frustrating than your cell phone running out of juice and there’s no electrical outlet around to recharge it? How about when you are busy working on a project on your laptop on the plane and its battery dies and you’re all “Oh no! I am so getting fired for this”? Maybe you’re on a road trip with the kids and their portable DVD player battery peters out in the middle of their favorite Shrek movie and you have to listen to “Are we there yet?” for three hours. I know. Kill me now, right?

Wouldn’t you love it if these scenarios and others like them were never an issue again? It is not only a possibility but a reality now with portable solar chargers that can recharge all of your essential devices and more anytime, anywhere. Some of these little solar generators are small and light enough to fit into a briefcase, backpack, or shoulder bag to go anywhere you go. They provide the power you need to charge a laptop while you’re using it, or your MP3, cell phone, gaming device, USB device, or GPS. The generator itself can be charged with its included solar panel, AC adaptor, or 12v adaptor so it can be kept ready to go whenever it’s needed. No plug? No problem! Just a few hours of sunshine will get you back on track.

I imagine your brain is already thinking about how cool this is and how many uses you would have for one of these solar generators. If not, here are a few:

• You’re a camper, backpacker, hunter or fisher and spend days away from civilization. Your little generator not only charges your devices but powers LED lights so you can see to clean the fish.

• The power goes out during the storm. A larger solar generator powers your laptop, cell phone, and LCD television so you can keep up with the news and call for help if needed. It will even power a fan so you don’t expire from summer heat or a 12v electric cooler to keep the beer chilled.

• You are a first responder and during an emergency you are able to keep the battery operated defibrillator charged to save lives.

Those who have portable solar chargers find almost daily uses for them, wondering how they ever made it without them. They are durable, tested under the most extreme conditions, and reliable so you’ll never be out of touch with a dead battery again.