Solar panel question?

I am just trying to see if i understand the process and the components i would need.

I need a portable system for a laptop and a few small devices. After much research this is about as much as i know;



I will need a panel at least 30w.

I will transfer from the panel into a deep cycle battery storage.

I can then transfer from the battery into my laptop and devices.



Does this about sum it up?



What do i need to know about voltage? I see that the panels all have different voltages and i am wondering what voltage i need or how i figure that out.



I know i can charge directly from my car with an inverter but when i dont drive for days or weeks at a time i would like to put the panel in the rear window and connect it to a battery bank in my truck.



Does this plan sound viable?



Will i need other components?



Thanks
You need to calculate how much power you need. Take the watts times the number of hours used a day, that will be watt hours. 60W x 4 hours = 240wh. Find out how many sun hours are available where you will be, keep in mind a lot of places have half of the hours in the winter than in the summer, so use the lower number if this will be used in the winter. http://www.altestore.com/howto/Tools-Cal



240Wh / 5 sun hours = 48 watts. Add 30% for losses = 62W panel needed. You never want to use more than half the battery power, so multiply 240Wh times 2, add 30% for losses, divide by 12V system = 52ah battery bank.



Or go to an off-grid calculator like http://www.altestore.com/store/calculato



Panels, batteries, and systems are generally grouped into nominal voltage, 6V, 12V, 24V, etc. A 12V battery is actually about 14.5V, 12V panel is about 20V. But because they are all nominal 12V, they are designed to work together.



You then need an inverter to convert the 12V DC to 120V AC.
Your best bet is to buy a system that is already designed for you needs.

Try this site or google: solar computer battery charger
unfortunately the voltage produced varies with the amount of light. the simplest system uses a nominal 15v full-sun panel and a diode to prevent battery discharge through the panel. to get energy under all lighting conditions you need a higher panel voltage and a decent charge controller.



the link the 1st answerer gave is a reasonable place to start%0D%0A