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Consumer electronics company Acer has announced an expansion into portable, solar-powered energy storage devices. The new product range aims to meet the rising demand for sustainable off-grid portable power stations and will compete with popular solutions from Allpowers, Anker, Bluetti, and EcoFlow.
Three Tiers of Portable Power Stations
The lineup consists of three portable lithium power stations – the APS311 600W, APS321 1800W, and APS331 3000W models. They offer 512Wh to 2560Wh of battery capacity and 600W to 3000W of rated power.
The press release states that the APS331 3000W uses a lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4) and I would assume this will be the case for the other power stations. This battery chemistry has a significantly longer number of full cycles before the battery starts to degrade in performance.
The devices can power anything from smartphones and laptops while camping to appliances during a blackout. They feature a range of output ports, including AC, USB-A, USB-C, a car charger port, and DC outlets.
An intelligent battery management system provides protection against issues like overheating and overcharging. Acer claims the batteries retain over 80% capacity after 3000-4000 charge cycles.
Solar Panel Options Up To 400W
Accompanying the power stations are three foldable solar panels rated at 100W, 200W, and 400W. They utilize high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon cells with a 23% conversion rate.
The panels can fully charge the power stations in under 2 hours on a sunny day. Their portable, weatherproof design allows setting up an off-grid solar charging station anywhere.
Household Backup for Over 24 Hours
Acer states the 3000W model combined with six optional 2500Wh expansion batteries can store up to 17.5kWh. That’s enough to power an average household for over 24 hours during an outage.
The expansion batteries utilize lithium iron phosphate cells enclosed in sturdy aluminium shells. Built-in battery management monitors their status and protects against issues.
Pricing and Availability
The eco-friendly power solutions will be available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa starting March 2024.
Pricing starts at €699 for the 600W power station and €229 for the 100W solar panel. The top-tier 3000W station with an expansion battery costs €2199 and €1699 respectively.
Meeting Sustainability Goals
In the press release, Acer states the new lineup helps meet rising demand for renewable energy products. The power stations and solar panels enable utilizing the sun’s energy for off-grid power generation.
The company seems to be targeting sustainability-focused consumers like campers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those living in regions with frequent power outages.
Expanding Green Tech Portfolio
Earlier this year, Acer pledged to use 100% renewable energy in its global operations by 2035. The company has also set targets to reduce supply chain emissions by 25% in the same timeframe.
The portable power stations and solar panels expand Acer’s green technology portfolio beyond its energy-efficient laptops and monitors. As a major computer hardware brand, the foray into off-grid solar energy solutions is a logical next step.
It aligns with Acer’s mission statement in the press release – to create technologies that “break barriers between people and technology.” The portable yet high-capacity power stations deliver on that promise.
Whether the new lineup succeeds likely depends on the pricing and reliability compared to competitors like EcoFlow, Bluetti, and Jackery. But Acer’s brand reputation and international reach give the product range an edge in the rapidly growing portable power market.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
