In past projects in Africa we have been plagued with the unpredictable or simply unavailable municipal power system. So this past year we researched and selected a Goal Zero system consisting of a Sherpa 120 battery pack, Sherpa inverter, Nomad 27 solar panel, and a Light-a-Life lantern. The primary use for this power system is to support our water quality laboratory that we are equipping and training a local University here in Central Africa with. Thus, it is powering equipment like a portable incubator that when the municipal power fails must continue to run or days’ worth of water samples would be lost as well as the lifesaving information these communities desperately need. Additional loads of charging laptops and cell phones the Sherpa has accepted also, operating a laptop for over a full ten hour day on a single charge. To date on our current project the supplied power has been more reliable than planned, rarely failing for more than a day, and so our use of the solar panel has been limited but problem free. Other laptops that have been operating here tend to last about a year due to the unstable and fluctuating voltage destroying the laptop completely, we have monitored the output of the Goal Zero inverter here and expect that it will provide a longer lifespan for our equipment. Transporting the Goal Zero unit we have on airlines in the carry-on luggage through TSA was without a problem.

I recently purchased a Sherpa 120 Explorer Kit and am thrilled with its performance and features. I'm a sailor/camper/kayaker/ham radio operator and I rely on my electronic gear for kite photography as well as communications. I sail one of my boats with a group whose internet forum has recently had several threads regarding solar power options. Here's my contribution: http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/potter/index.cgi/read/93266

I am a web developer/photographer for a large outdoors shoe company. I spend the majority of my free time out fly fishing or camping with my dad. I've been using Goal Zero products (Nomad 7 and Sherpa 120) for a little while now and I can say that it's the best solar gear I've ever used. I've previously owned Brunton and Powerfilm solar solutions and both offered positives that were unfortunately tied to negatives. The Goal Zero gear is the first I've come across that actually does what they market and they do it very well. I'll never use any other brand. I am actually very surprised there isn't more reviews of their products out yet. On a side note, their customer service support is absolutely excellent.