Portable wind turbines are easy to build — and easy to break. YouTube offers an abundance of tutorials for building your own DIY wind turbine. A quick Amazon search of “portable wind turbine” will bring up dozens of options, from a 5W miniature turbine for $12 to large-scale models made for home energy that cost thousands of dollars.
For campers seeking mobile power solutions, wind turbines have long been seen as a finicky, unreliable option, especially compared to solar panels.
But a Canadian brand claims it has built a turbine that’s sufficiently small, light, and durable to give wind power another chance. The Shine 2.0 is currently raising funds through an Indiegogo campaign that concludes in March. It’s the brand’s follow-up to its successful 2021 crowdfunding campaign for the Shine 1.0.
The Shine 2.0 upgrades the original design with USB-C charging, higher energy output, and the ability to charge power stations and laptops, among other changes. Other details, like the turbine’s 3-pound weight, remain the same.
“Shine has one of the highest power-to-weight ratios of any comparable portable renewable energy product on the market,” Shine spokesperson Vanessa Ferguson told GearJunkie. “Unlike solar, it can generate power day or night, rain or shine, making it especially effective in coastal, mountainous, and open landscapes where wind is more consistent.”
Shine 2.0 Portable Wind Turbine: Details
Shine isn’t the first attempt to crowdfund a new wind-power solution for outdoor adventures. More than 10 years ago, GearJunkie covered a crowdfunding campaign for the Skajaquoda Trinity, a similar product that never came to fruition.
Shine, on the other hand, has already enjoyed some success. Since a successful Kickstarter in 2021, the Shine 1.0 has been purchased by 2,300 customers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. After that initial run, Shine has now returned with upgrades based on customer feedback from the last few years.
In addition to raising the power output from 40W to 50W, the Shine 2.0 also has several other nifty updates. For starters, it has a built-in charge controller that improves efficiency even through rapid changes to wind speed. Shine calls this system Maximum Power Point Tracking, or MPPT.
The turbine’s settings can now also be managed via an app on your phone. Users can now see the battery state, performance, and power generation through the Bluetooth-connected app. There’s also no denying the importance of USB-C charging, which delivers 75W compared to the 13W of the Shine 1.0’s USB-A port.
Shine 2.0 retains several details from the previous model, like the 12,000 mAh internal battery and a 3-foot mount that fits inside the turbine. It’s also still weatherproof and turns automatically into the wind, regardless of direction.
The Indiegogo campaign for the 2.0 also offers several new add-ons. Now you can get a 6-foot mount ($138) to gain access to “less turbulent wind,” the campaign said. For $138, you can also buy the power station adaptor. It lets you charge 12V devices, such as laptops, drones, and power stations, which is a significant upgrade for off-grid campers, van-lifers, and digital nomads.
Wind Turbine Use Cases
When weighing the pros and cons of wind power, it’s important to consider whether you’re adventuring to places with enough wind to make it useful. Wind turbines have long been tapped by ocean explorers, who can usually rely on the sea breeze. It’s similar for RVers, who will attach them to the roof for more consistent charging.
Campers face a more complex calculus. Wind turbines could supply power to those camping on the coast or in wide-open spaces with consistent wind. Shine 2.0 will charge with winds from 8 mph to 28 mph — but that’s unlikely to work if you’re in the middle of a dense forest. That’s when solar panels are more likely to keep your gear juiced and ready to go.
“Shine 2.0 is designed for people spending time off-grid, including overlanders, car campers, van lifers, surfers, field researchers, and cottage users, as well as anyone who wants backup power for essential electronics during power outages at home,” Shine’s spokesperson told GearJunkie. “So both outdoor enthusiasts and for emergency preparedness.”
However, it’s worth noting that Shine 2.0 also works like any portable charger. Just power it up at home before you head out the door, and you’ll at least have some 12,000 mAh of juice — regardless of how the wind blows.
Shine 2.0: Availability and Pricing
Launched on Indiegogo in September, the Shine 2.0 campaign will continue into March. It is expected to ship out to backers in April 2025. It’s still in the “Early Bird” phase, meaning you can still snag one for $400, or 30% off the eventual $571 price tag. The Shine 1.0 is also currently available through Shine’s store for $400.
The campaign has already raised more than $772,000 from nearly 1,500 customers, so it’s likely that Shine will continue to expand its offerings. In fact, the brand hopes to scale up with larger turbines for “home and backup power applications,” Ferguson said.
“Our next system, Shine 3.0, will be larger and more powerful, rated at 100W with up to 200W output from its internal battery, aimed at larger devices and vehicle or battery charging,” Ferguson told GearJunkie. “In parallel, we’re also planning to develop additional mounting options, including vehicle-mounted solutions designed for use when a vehicle is stationary at camp.”
