(Image credit: Future) There are a lot of benefits to owning solar panels, the least of which is the fact that you're harnessing energy from the sun that would otherwise go to waste. Or at the very least, the sun is doing more than just heating the roof of your home. That's easily the worst part about summer where I live. I've had home solar panels for over six years now, but there are far more ways to take advantage of solar power. I don't mean solar-powered phone chargers, though that isn't too far off. I mean, utilizing portable solar tech to bring power to places that have no access to the electric grid. For some, that might mean camping trips, but my need is much closer to home — it's my own garage. Article continues below Who needs power in their garage? I do Excuse the mess, I'm slowly reorganizing everything (Image credit: Future) Back in the '80s when my house was being built, the developers decided they didn't want to fill the area with detached housing.…