Climate change is the biggest concern for all of us in the modern world today. Using non-renewable sources for energy generation has not only reduced natural resources but also increased average temperatures all around the globe. All of us can collectively contribute to a better future by investing in green energy equipment for producing, saving, and utilizing electrical energy. Solar panels are great tools to generate free green energy. And, if they are portable, they can be highly convenient for travel as well. Whether you want an emergency energy backup for your home or if you are planning to go on a camping trip (aided, perhaps, with a solar camping light, solar backpack, and solar powerbank), then you should invest in portable solar power stations. Let’s look at a few of these products that are available today.
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Editor’s Picks
Before we dive deep into the list of the best portable solar panels, let’s quickly look at a few products that are leading in their respective categories.
Jackery solar generator is undoubtedly the best product on our list. It has all the necessary features that you’ll be looking for in a solar generator. These features include high capacity, built-in battery, high durability, ease of use, and a 12-month warranty. It is a complete package to improve your outdoor experience. It can also be used as a backup energy option for your house.
Jackery solar generator is undoubtedly the best product on our list. It has all the necessary features that you’ll be looking for in a solar generator. These features include high capacity, built-in battery, high durability, ease of use, and a 12-month warranty. It is a complete package to improve your outdoor experience. It can also be used as a backup energy option for your house.
Renogy has developed this special off-grid solar panel kit that comes with an adjustable, corrosion-resistant aluminum stand as well as a heavy-duty handle and latches for longevity. It is the most durable product on our list and you can use it in extreme weather conditions without any concern.
Portable vs Regular Solar Panels: What’s the difference
The main differences between portable and regular fixed solar panels are related to portability, versatility, panel wattage and output.
The rule of thumb is that a regular or fixed solar panel is mounted on a roof, ground mount, or tracker system. This means they are built to sustain and power up a large scale grid such as that of a house or any kind of private or even public structure. Regular solar panels are noted for their use of inverters that convert the sun’s rays into usable energy.
Portable solar panels work according to the same principle (minus the inverter) but on a much smaller scale. These can be affixed to vehicles such as RV’s or boats, campsites and tents or even hiking backpacks to produce energy while on the go.
As regular solar panels are made for the powering of entire buildings, they are obviously larger, sturdier and have a much higher energy output and panel wattage.
Although there is a big difference in wattage between portable solar panels, even the most powerful usually reach around 200W. For example one 150W portable solar panel can power mid-level electronic appliances such as laptops, TV’s and even car batteries.
Compared to one regular solar panel set (5 panels totaling 1500W) that can power refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, air conditioning and other large appliances and you can see there is a huge difference. 25 regular solar panels of the same wattage are enough produce energy for an average sized home and every appliance in it. A last but crucial difference is that fixed solar systems are eligible for financial incentives, while portable systems are not.
Common Portable Solar Panel Sizes
While regular solar panels have a standardized industry size, this is not the case for portable solar panels that come in a variety of different sizes. From tiny handheld solar phone chargers to much larger solar panels meant to upgrade boats and RV’s.
Portable models meant for long term off-grid use (such as camping or boating) usually oscillate between a minimum of one square foot to a maximum of 5’2 x 2’8 feet (approaching the size of a fixed solar panel.
Pros And Cons Of Portable Solar Panels
As a portable alternative to a fully fledged solar system that can power a house, portable solar panels offer both advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- Portable solar panels are extremely versatile, built to give that extra power that any traveler might need on the go, whether it be to charge your phone or supplement a larger scale solar energy system (for example used together with a solar generator)
- Durability is also a an important feature present in high quality portable panels (such as those reviewed in this article). Most modern panels are highly water-resistant (with some models being completely waterproof) and designed to brave even very harsh weather
- The vast majority of portable solar panels are of the mono-crystalline (as opposed to poly-crystalline) variety this makes them have a higher energy conversion rate on average
- Portable solar panels reduce costs and are incredibly low maintenance, with most distributors offering comprehensive warranties of up to 25 years. All that is needed for maintenance is some occasional cleaning of the panel.
Cons:
- Though versatile and durable, reliability is always an issue. Many models advertise a much higher output than what is really offered and although they may brave adverse weather conditions (meaning they won’t break), the output will be significantly affected
- Some portable solar panels pose a significant investment, this may turn down some prospective customers who do not want to risk reliance on solar energy. Costs are steadily decreasing and the added functionalities and compatibility of certain models is still an advantage
- Non foldable solar panels can be a cumbersome affair, taking vital space needed in a camping trip, this is why it is very important to know exactly what your energy usage is before investing in portable panel
The Best Portable Solar Panels Reviewed
Now that we have identified the best of the lot, let’s take a look at the 10 best portable solar panels in the market and find out which one is the right product for you.
#1 Jackery Portable Solar Panel Systems And Generators
- Brand: Jackery
- 3 Ways of Recharging
- Voltage: 110 Volts
- Fast Solar Recharging
- MPPT Controller
There is absolutely no doubt why Jackery’s Solar Generator 1000 is on top of our list. This solar system consists of a portable power station and 2 packs of solar panels. The power station is adaptable to work at three wattages including a running wattage of 1000w, a surge wattage of 2000W, and a large wattage capacity of 1002Wh. This product offers two outlet options including a fast-charging port to charge your devices quickly. Apart from fast charging the connected devices, this solar-powered system itself, charges at a high speed. It is a highly efficient and user-friendly system and comes with a two-year warranty.
Pros:
- 1000W running wattage
- 2000W surge wattage
- Multiple USB ports
- Fast recharging
- Easy to use
- 2-year warranty
Cons:
- Highly expensive
#2 EF ECOFLOW Portable Solar Power Systems And Charging Stations
- Brand: EF ECOFLOW
- Style: DELTA+160W SOLAR PANEL
- Power Source: Solar powered
- RECHARGE FROM 0% TO 80% WITHIN 1 HOUR
EF ECOFLOW’s portable solar charger is a great device to charge multiple devices quickly. This solar system is designed to perform at the highest level. It can charge multiple devices at the same time with a range of outputs. Six out of these thirteen outlets are pure sine wave AC outlets. This device not only charges the connected devices fast but charges itself from 0-80% in less than one hour. It works on high conversion efficiency of 22%. It is extremely weather-resistant and comes with a warranty. It is yet another highly efficient solar-powered system on our list.
Pros:
- 6 x 1800W AC outlets
- 1260W capacity
- 1 protective case and kickstand
- Warranty
- Efficient solar setup
- Top of the line
Cons:
- No RV batteries
#3 Jackery Portable Solar Panels
- Brand: Jackery
- Color: Black
- Power Source: Corded Electric
- Compatible Devices: Smartphones, Tablets, Cameras
- Durable ETFE Material
Jackery’s solar panels are mainly designed to provide solar power from the sun to their explorer solar systems. However, these products can be used for your other energy needs as well. This portable solar panel is widely used as a solar charger to power up your solar panel setup. If you are on a camping trip and you need phone chargers to quickly power up your phone, these solar panel kits are going to be your go-to options. These portable solar panels are highly efficient and user-friendly because of their foldable design.
Pros:
- 1 x 60W solar panel
- High conversion efficiency
- Doesn’t require a solar panel suitcase
- 1.3m extension cable
- Easy to use
- Durable solar system
Cons:
- No warranty
- High price
#4 Renogy Monocrystalline Off-Grid Portable Solar Panel Systems
- Brand: Renogy
- Color: Solar Panel Suitcase
- Power Source: Solar-Powered
- Voyager 20A PWM Waterproof Solar Charge Controller
- Heavy duty handle and latches
Renogy has manufactured this portable and user-friendly solar panel suitcase to be used as a solar charger for your solar setup while using green solar power from the sun. These products come with charge controllers that provide overcharge protection. These products have another unusual negative ground charge controller that is used for compatibility with your travel trailers, boats, and various other appliances with charging capacities.
Pros:
- Adjustable corrosion-resistant aluminum stand
- 20A built-in charge controllers
- A negative ground charge controller
- Positive solar panel reviews
- Durable solar system
Cons:
- Less durable
- High price
- No PWM
#5 Hiluckey Portable Solar Power System
- Brand: Hiluckey
- Color: Orange
- Connector Type: Usb, Micro usb
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Polymer
- 4 Times Light-absorbing Solar Panels
- High speed charging
If you are someone who is looking for a complete solar panel system that includes portable solar panels, as well as a high storage battery, HIluckey’s solar panel system should be your choice. This product has a highly powerful battery with a capacity of 25000mAh. This is enough capacity to take care of all your mobile devices for an entire week. These solar systems come with 4 foldable solar panels that are highly effective at converting sunlight to electrical energy. These devices also come with dual outlet options and in an affordable price range. With their user-friendly design, you don’t need an extra briefcase or a nylon case to protect your portable solar panel kits and lead-acid batteries. Thus, this solar system is perfect for your camping trips.
Pros:
- 25000mAh battery storage
- 4 Solar panels
- Effective solar setup
- User-friendly design
- High rating
- Affordable price
Cons:
- No warranty
#6 ECO-WORTHY Portable Solar Panel Systems
- Brand: ECO-WORTHY
- Plug&Play SAE connector
- Cigarette Lighter
- Alligator Clip Adapter
- Built-in blocking diode
ECO-WORTHY items, as the name suggests, are worthy to be mentioned on our list due to their price and efficiency. You don’t need to order a cart to carry and use these solar panel kits because these are already small and compact. These panels can fulfill all your energy needs as these items are used as a solar charger to power up your solar setup. These kits act as a generator to charge up your phone batteries on camping trips. These kits come with an alligator clip adaptor to increase their compatibility with various electric options.
Pros:
- 10w capacity
- Alligator clip adaptor to increase compatibility options
- Low price
- Easy to use
- High user rating
Cons:
- No warranty
- Low capacity
#7 BigBlue Solar Power Systems And Solar Chargers
- Brand: BigBlue
- Color: Black
- High Energy Conversion
- 3 Port USB connector
- DSLRs with compatible USB cable
Bigblue Solar chargers are specifically designed to power up your phone batteries. These are small, compact, and highly efficient. These are very handy portable solar panels for your camping trips. As your phone batteries drain more rapidly because of camera usage, these portable solar panels fulfill your small energy needs in a quick time. These products are your ready-to-go power options to enhance your camping experience. These panels are highly efficient, green energy generators that generate solar power and don’t need an extra briefcase to be carried along.
Pros:
- Highly compatible
- No briefcase required
- Energy efficient
- Easy to use
Cons:
- No warranty
- Low capacity
#8 Togo POWER Portable Solar Power System
- Brand: Togo POWER
- High Conversion Efficiency
- USB Smart Charging Technology
- Portable Foldable Waterproof
- Works for laptop
Togo POWER has a great product in their store to feature on our list of most energy-efficient portable solar panels. These solar panel kits fulfill your energy needs both at home and outdoors as well while generating solar power. If you are a camper and looking for a portable and instant power option, this kit is built for you. Not many products feature a warranty in this product segment but this solar generator does. It is compatible with various other brands and is highly compact. You don’t have to spend extra money on a briefcase to carry and use these portable solar panels.
Pros:
- Highly compatible
- High conversion efficiency
- Smart charging technology
- Waterproof
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Low capacity
- Highly expensive
#9 Renogy Off-Grid Portable Solar Panel Systems
- Brand: Renogy
- Waterproof Charge Controller
- low-voltage system avoids electric shock hazards
- Protective casing
Renogy’s portable solar panel system is a highly efficient energy generator to fulfill your quick energy needs such as charging phone batteries. This portable solar panel system is designed to improve your RVing and camping experience. This panel is small in size but great in performance.
Pros:
- Dual 100W portable solar panel setup
- 20A built-in charge controller
- Highly durable
- Improve RVing and camping experience
- Efficient solar setup
Cons:
- No warranty
- No PWM
#10 ROCKPALS Solar Panel Setup
- Brand: ROCKPALS
- Solar Panel Type: Mono-crystalline
- High Energy Conversion
- Widely Compatible
- Water-resistant and Durable
ROCKPALS portable solar panel system is yet another camping equipment with upgraded portable solar panel equipment. This solar setup is compact in size and essentially designed to fulfill small power requirements. Not many portable solar panels offer fast charging but this system does. It’s water-resistant and easy to use.
Pros:
- High conversion efficiency
- 4 Times fast charging
- Water-resistant
- Easy to use
- Small in size
Cons:
- Low capacity
- No warranty
Buyer’s Guide
Not all portable solar panels offer similar features. Some are designed to produce large amounts of solar energy and have high battery capacities, and some are designed to fulfill small energy requirements to improve your camping experience. Also, these portable solar panels come in various shapes and sizes. Each portable solar panel has its own unique use. There are various other small features attached to these portable solar panels such as their user experience, their compatibility, and their IP ratings. Following are the various factors you should keep in mind before you buy a portable solar panel system.
Price
Price is the first thing you should consider before buying a particular portable solar system. No matter how many features, it may provide you, its price must justify the value it creates for its user. Therefore, you should look out for the price firsthand.
Capacity
Capacity is the most essential feature of a portable solar system. It is the measurement of the energy production of a portable solar panel and is usually represented in terms of watts and volts. Some panels have extremely high capacities that they can power up your entire house, while others can only power up your phone battery. If you are looking for a portable solar panel for camping purposes, you should buy one with a lower capacity.
Built-in batteries
Solar charging systems come with and without batteries. Some solar panels have built-in products to make them accessible in case of an emergency. If you want to save energy while you are not using it, you can buy a solar system that has a built-in battery as well.
Compatibility
Watch out for various tools and kits that come with your portable solar panel. Make sure that your selected brand provides essential tools along with the portable solar panel so that you don’t have to pay extra money to use your product.
Warranty
Warranty is really provided in most portable solar panels. Only a handful of these products come with a warranty, that too of 12-months only. If you are looking to save yourself from online scams, you should only buy the portable solar panels that offer a minimum of a 12-month warranty.
User Experience
Every piece of equipment used for camping purposes should be user-friendly. If you buy portable solar panels that need special skills to use then you’ll be wasting your time on using this equipment, rather than enjoying your trip. Look for a user manual before you buy DIY portable solar panels.
Final Verdict
Jackery’s solar generator is the most effective and efficient solar system that you can buy to utilize in various conditions and needs. It fulfills all of the above-mentioned buyer’s manual requirements that we suggested you look out for before you buy a particular solar panel charging setup. It has all the features including high capacity, built-in battery, high durability, easy to use experience, and a 12-month warranty. You can use it for both indoor and outdoor purposes. Various other solar panels on our list miss one or two critical features such as warranty or adaptability and others. Therefore, this product has become the ultimate choice for a wide range of customers.
Pinterest Board
Check out our updated Pinterest board with the best portable solar panels:
FAQs
It is not recommended to look out for such solar portable solar panels that you would want to use to power up your house as well as camping tours. The reason is that some portable solar panels are small in size and developed for outdoor purposes only. They are easy to use. While other solar panels are not usually portable and installed in a fixed place.
The capacity of your portable solar panels will mention the current they can produce as well as transmit to your electrical equipment. You should look out for their capacities if you are interested in fast charging. Also, the ports which are used as outlets of energy are critical to fast charging. Some portable solar panels come with upgraded port types while some do not.
You should get the help of a professional electrician that can examine a product and give you headstart information on how to use it. Solar panels can be tricky and dangerous. You must take care of your safety before you learn how to use them regularly.
Solar panels are useless without sunlight. If you have taught portable solar panels to use on your camping trip to Alaska, we are sorry to disappoint you that you’ll only be carrying extra luggage on your trip. Solar panels require sunlight to generate solar energy. However, if your solar system has a built-in battery, that would be great. You can charge up these batteries while you don’t use energy and can utilize them later.
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